Surname Kennard - Meaning and Origin
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Kennard: What does the surname Kennard mean?
The surname Kennard is of Anglo-Saxon origin, with its roots going back to the ancient Germanic world. It is derived from the personal name Kinheard, which is composed of two elements: "cyne", meaning royal, and "hard", meaning hardy, brave or strong. Thus, Kennard can be interpreted as 'royal strength' or 'royal bravery'. Some researchers suggest that it was originally a nickname for a person who showed these characteristics. Throughout history, spellings of last names have changed considerably, so variations of Kennard include Kenward, Kennard, Kenwood and others. This surname first appeared on record in the county of Sussex, Southern England. Today, individuals with the last name Kennard can be found in numerous countries across the globe.
Order DNA origin analysisKennard: Where does the name Kennard come from?
The last name Kennard is of Anglo-Saxon lineage, and originates from England. It is derived from the Old English given name Cyneweard, which can be separated into the elements "cyne", meaning royal, and "weard", meaning guard. Thus, the name Kennard would roughly translate to "royal guardian". As a patronymic surname, it probably originally referred to the son of a person named Cyneweard.
Today, the surname Kennard is most common in the United States. It is also somewhat prevalent in England, especially in areas like Kent, Sussex, Hampshire, and London. The name may have dispersed to other parts of the world, including Australia and Canada, due to emigration from England. However, its popularity in these regions is significantly less compared to the United States and England.
Variations of the surname Kennard
The surname Kennard is of English origin, derived from Old English kinē, which means “royal," and heard, meaning “hardy, brave, strong." Variations and alternate spellings of the name Kennard include Kenard, Kennart, Kennardt, Kennerd, and Kennardson. The name might also be changed or simplified in some international regions, potentially appearing as Kinnard or Kinniard in some places like Scotland or Northern Ireland. Another related surname may be Kennerson.
The Kennard family name can also be found as a part of several compound or hyphenated names such as Kenward-Turner or Kennard-White, often arising due to marriage. These versions of the name reflect the same root, but indicate a joining of two families.
It should also be noted that different branches of a family often chose to spell their names differently, which means a person could technically have the Kennard surname but have it spelled differently due to personal preference.
These variations and different spellings are still connected to the original name Kennard and share the same roots, meanings, and influences from the name's origin.
Famous people with the name Kennard
- Dom Dwyer: Soccer player for the Orlando City SC
- Adal Rifai: American Actor and Comedian
- Chip Kennard: Former NFL player with the St Louis Rams for three seasons
- Taryn Kennard: Dancer and Model
- Steven Kennard: Longtime Executive for the New York Jets
- Barron Kennard: Music Artist
- Walt Kennard: YouTuber and Video Game Content Creator
- John D. Kennard, III: Actor and Voice Over Talent
- Joseph Kennard: The Chief Clerk of the Supreme Court of Georgia
- Richard Kennard: American film and television actor