Surname Kennane - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kennane: What does the surname Kennane mean?
The last name Kennane is thought to have originated in the Irish language. Kennane, which is pronounced almost identically in both Irish and English, means "descendant of the fair one", or "son of the fair one". This name was often given to individuals in honor of their physical beauty or resemblance to early Gaelic deities as a sign of esteem and admiration.
In some cases, Kennane may also be derived from the surname Ó Cinnéin which means “descendant of Cennéin”. Cennéin is a common name in Ireland, thought to be derived from the Gaelic word caomh meaning "gentle or gracious".
At the dawn of the 21st century, Kennane is mainly found in the Netherlands, Ireland, Scotland, and the United States. In the United States, the Kennane family name is particularly common in California and New York.
Generally, Kennane is an Irish-Gaelic name associated with beauty and gentleness. It's a very popular and endearing surname, often mused over for its story-like quality and poetic beauty.
Order DNA origin analysisKennane: Where does the name Kennane come from?
The last name Kennane is most commonly associated with Ireland, particularly the counties Cork and Waterford. It is also found in small numbers throughout the surrounding regions, as well as smaller numbers on the United Kingdom's Isle of Man and Isle of Wight.
Kennane remains a relatively rare surname, perhaps due to population fluxes from emigration. It is estimated that there are no more than 500 Kennane households in Ireland today.
In the United States, Kennane is most prominent in the Southern states, such as Georgia, South Carolina, Michigan, and Texas. It is also found in the West, from California to Montana, perhaps indicating the migration of former Confederate soldiers following the Civil War.
Kennane can be found in Canada and Australia as well, although the numbers are likely much smaller than in the United States. The name may have made its way to these countries by way of Irish immigrants who left for a better life in places where they could find more job and educational opportunities.
Today, the Kennane surname lives on in Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It is likely that all of these Kennanes are related in some way or another, as there are few records of Kennane's beyond limited local records.
Variations of the surname Kennane
The surname Kennane is of Irish and Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic Ó Cionnaith, meaning descendant of Cionnaith.
Variants of Kennane include Kinnane, Kinahan, Cinneide, Kinneide, Kinnea, Kinney, Kiney, and Kenna. The spelling Kennane is most often found in Ireland, while Kinnane and Kinahan are more often found in Scotland.
The surname has also been used in different spellings in various regions. In Ireland, Kelly’s Irish Families states that the name has also been spelled Ó Cionnaith and O'Kennane. In Scotland, it can also be seen as MacKinne.
The related surnames of Kinnaird and Kinnear are thought to have been derived from the Gaelic, Coinneir. The English version of this surname could be Kinear or Canaday.
Variations of Kennane have been found as Cannon in Scotland and as Cannon in England. Another variant is MacRobbie, which is derived from Robert, a Gaelic form of the name.
The most common variant spelling of Kennane is Kinney, which continues to be used in both Ireland and Scotland. It may also be spelled Kinny, Keney, Kennet, or Kenney. There are also forms of the surname such as Kenneway and Kenway.
Other forms of the surname include Kinneen, Cioneid, MacCinneaidh, and Conyngham. Although these forms are rare, they all stem from the same Gaelic root.
Famous people with the name Kennane
- Maureen Kennedy-Srusits: fashion designer, business owner, and author.
- Lt. Cmdr. John Patrick Kennedy: United States Navy test pilot.
- Kimberly N. Kennedy: best-selling author and expert on women’s health.
- Michael V. Kennedy: American geneticist and former professor at Harvard University.
- Richard P. Kennedy: American chemist and chemical engineer at the University of Utah.
- Mark Kennedy: former politician, business owner, and University of North Dakota president.
- Stephen D. Kennedy: American classical/opera composer and professor at North Carolina State University.
- E. J. Kennedy: painter, illustrator, and former vice president of the Rhode Island School of Design.
- Garrick Kennedy: Hollywood actor and television producer.
- Cahrles Kennedy: Irish singer and businessman who is the former lead singer of the band The Long Riders.