Surname O'Kennon - Meaning and Origin
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O'Kennon: What does the surname O'Kennon mean?
The last name O'Kennon is derived from the ancient Irish surname Ó Cianáin. This surname was used by a Gaelic aristocratic family in pre-Norman Ireland, who were associated with the ancient kingdom of Uí Fiachrach Aidhne. Ó Cianáin is said to have come from the Gaelic word cian, which means “ancient”, and the word áin, which means “beauty”.
Originally, the O’Kennon clan was associated with the Uí Fiachrach Aidhne, an area in what is now known as county Galway, on the western coast of Ireland. This powerful and influential clan was known for its scholarship and fierce commitment to their Catholic faith. O'Kennon families also held large estates in northeastern county Sligo, close to the Ulster border.
The O’Kennon surname is still very common in Ireland, and it is also found in countries around the world, as descendants of this ancient clan have emigrated to the U.S., Canada, Australia, and more. In modern times, the O'Kennon surname retains its ancient associations of learning, loyalty, and beauty. This is a proud and significant Irish surname that carries many old-world associations of nobility and tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Kennon: Where does the name O'Kennon come from?
The last name O'Kennon is an Irish surname, meaning "descendent of Kennon". It is an Irish Gaelic surname, deriving from the clan Ui Cinnfhaelaidh, which is thought to come from ancient Cornish-Irish roots.
The O'Kennon name is most commonly found in Ireland, particularly in central and western parts of the country. However, due to massive waves of Irish emigration in the 19th and early 20th centuries, many O'Kennon families have spread to other parts of the world, particularly the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and the United States. There are still many who remain in Ireland, especially in rural areas.
In the US, O'Kennon families are most densely concentrated in the northeastern states and the midwestern states, specifically Ohio according to the Census Bureau. Because of the Irish origins of the name, O'Kennon families are also common in other parts of the British Isles, such as Scotland and Wales.
O'Kennon is a relatively rare last name, even in locations where it is most common. Therefore, it is not likely to be encountered a lot. However, it is still an important part of the history and heritage of the Irish people.
Variations of the surname O'Kennon
The surname O'Kennon is a patronymic surname, derived from the Gaelic Irish name Ó Cinnéidín, meaning descendant of Cinnéidín. This is sometimes anglicized to Kennon, Kinneen, Kinnon, Kinnin, and Kennedy.
Variants of the surname O'Kennon include the Irish versions O’Kennin, Kinnane, O’Kinning, O’Kinnan, O’Keenan, and Kinand. In Scotland, variants are often O'Kynnon and O'Kinnon. In England, variants are often Kennon and Maning. Additionally, in some circumstances, the patronymic may be found with the prefix Mac or Mc, with variants such as MacKinnon, Mackinnen, Mackenon, and MacKinene.
Due to phonetic spelling and transcription errors, modern variants of O’Kennon may include Kenan, Keanno, Kennin, Kenney, Kennen, Kenin, Keenin, Kening, Kannen, Kenyan, Kearney, Kennon, and Kynnon.
In the United States, O’Kennon is sometimes shortened to Konnor, Kenon, Kenan, Keonin, Kinon, Keenon, Kenin, Keann, and Kenn.
Additionally, there are surnames with variant spellings that originated from O’Kennon, such as Caron, Carney, Cann, Cannon, Can, Connen, Carman, Keenan, Kennon, and Karman.
Altogether, surnames with similar origins to O’Kennon include Kennon, Kinneen, Kinnon, Kinnin, Kennedy, O’Kennin, Kinnane, O’Kinning, O’Kinnan, O’Keenan, Kinand, O’Kynnon, O’Kinnon, MacKinnon, Mackinnen, Mackenon, MacKinene, Kenan, Keanno, Kennin, Kenney, Kennen, Kenin, Keenin, Kening, Kannen, Kenyan, Kearney, Konnor, Kenon, Kenan, Keonin, Kinon, Keenon, Kenin, Keann, Kenn, Caron, Carney, Cann, Cannon, Can, Connen, Carman, Keenan, Kennon, and Karman.
Famous people with the name O'Kennon
- Matt O'Kennon: an American country music artist
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- Chris O'Kennon: a rising Australian-born actor
- Jim O'Kennon: a retired professional basketball player
- Rob O'Kennon: an American television writer and producer
- Sean O'Kennon: an Irish actor
- Alan O'Kennon: a Los Angeles-based operatic baritone
- Larry O'Kennon: an American jazz saxophonist
- Paul O'Kennon: a British guitarist and composer