Surname Kinnerk - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kinnerk: What does the surname Kinnerk mean?
The last name Kinnerk is of Irish origin, and has roots in the Gaelic surname O’Caingneorach or MacCainneora. Derived from the Gaelic word ‘ceann’, meaning ‘head’, the name roughly translates to ‘descendent of headsman or chief’. The Kinnerk surname can be found in records from the 16th century, when a branch of the O’ Kinnerk family settled in County Wexford.
Throughout the 18th and early 19th centuries, the name was predominantly used throughout counties Wexford, Cork and Waterford in the south-east of the country. It was popularised by Guinness Kinnerk, a martyr of the Irish Rebellion who is believed to have been killed following his capture in County Meath in 1798. Apart from Wexford, Kinnerk is a common name in parts of the midlands and in counties Offaly and Laois.
Today, although the exact numbers of Kinnerks worldwide are unknown, there exists clusters of Kinnerk families throughout Ireland. It is also found in other countries, especially in the USA, Canada and England where people of Irish descent settled during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisKinnerk: Where does the name Kinnerk come from?
The last name Kinnerk is most common today in Ireland. During times of great famine in the 19th century, many Irish families faced the devastating choice of leaving the country for better opportunities in places like the United States, Canada, Australia and the UK. The Kinnerk family was among them, seeking a better life and leaving behind their ancestral homeland.
Today, the Kinnerk surname can be found across the world, from the original Irish homeland to the far reaches of North America, Australia, and even a few scattered cases in South Africa. It is one of the most common Irish surnames of the 19th century, so it can still be found in large numbers in Ireland and remote parts of the United States.
It's common to hear the last name Kinnerk in large and small towns in the midwest of America, as the original Irish immigrants settled down in farm communities and brought the surname with them. It's also notable in parts of Canada, especially around Toronto, Montreal, and Vancouver. The Kinnerks may have made a name for themselves in many countries but have kept their ties to Ireland close, with over 5,000 members living in Ireland still today.
Variations of the surname Kinnerk
Kinnerk is an Irish surname that is derived from the Gaelic name Mac an Airchinnigh, which roughly translates as "son of the harp-player". The name can also be found as Kinnear, Kinner, and Kinneark. It was localized in County Cork, Ireland.
The variants of Kinnerk include Kinnear, Kinner, and Kinneark. Kinnear is an anglicized version of the Irish surname Mac an Airchinnigh. It is also sometimes seen as O'Kinneir or McKinney.
Kinnerk is a slightly different spelling of the surname, and is considered a variant of Kinnear. It is often spelled with a single “k” instead. It is more commonly seen in South Munster in Ireland.
Kinneark is another spelling of Kinnerk. It is more common in some areas in Ireland, such as North Munster.
The Kinnerk surname has many variants throughout Europe and the United States, and some of these include Kinneer, Cisco, Cunnane, Cunnane, Cunene, and Kerwick. These names also have variants such as Kincaid, Kinnard, and Kincannon.
No matter what spelling you come across, all of the variations of Kinnerk signify the same thing: “son of the harp-player”. It is an Irish surname that is steeped in history and culture, and has been passed down through generations.
Famous people with the name Kinnerk
- Dan Kinnerk: Australian cricketer.
- Stephon Kinnerk: Brazilian swimmer.
- Priscilla Kinnerk: English actress.
- Harry Kinnerk: German footballer.
- David Kinnerk: American journalist.
- Kay Kinnerk: Danish singer.
- John Kinnerk: New Zealand architect.
- Neil Kinnerk: Irish software engineer.
- Roberta Kinnerk: South African explorer.
- Marie Kinnerk: French fashion designer.