KENDRICK
The surname Kendrick is found throughout the English‑speaking world, having developed independently in several regions of the British Isles. Its etymology is rooted primarily in personal names of Old English and Welsh origin, with later adaptations in Scotland and Ireland.
In England the name is most commonly derived from the Old English personal name Cenric – literally “Royal Ruler” – a compound of cyne meaning “royal” and ric meaning “power” or “rule.” The name also appears in medieval records as Kendrich, a variant form that retained the same literal sense: a person of noble or authoritative status. The earliest documented instance in England is the entry for “John Kendrich” in the 1279 Hundred Rolls of Cambridgeshire, dated during the reign of King Edward I (1272–1307).
In Wales the surname is connected with the personal name Cynwrig, itself a compound of cyn, meaning “chief” or “first”, and gwr, a noun for “man”, with the suffix ig signifying quality. Thus, Cynwrig can be interpreted as “Chief Man” or “High Hill”, an epithet for a person who led a community or who lived near a prominent hill. The word cenedl – “nation” or “race” – also appears in the late‑modern Welsh usage of the name and is sometimes cited as an alternate source for the modern surname.
In Scotland the form MacKendrick or McKendrick occurs, reflecting the Gaelic patronymic construction that literally means “Son of Kendrick.” Here the name is thought to have a distinct origin, linked to the Highland border names Machendrie or Mackendrick, which scholars interpret as meaning “son of Henry.” Scottish records from 1601 mention a “John McKendrik” (spelled in several variations), who was denounced before the council as a traitor, illustrating the surname’s presence in civil matters of the period.
In Ireland the surname appears as a variant of Enright, the anglicised form of the Gaelic byname Indreachtach – literally “the Attacker”. Though the connection is more remote, it highlights the linguistic fluidity with which English surnames are adapted within Celtic societies.
Several notable bearers of the surname document its social breadth. Emma Eleonora Kendrick (1788–1871) was a celebrated miniature painter and author, whose work achieved considerable acclaim in Victorian society. The name has since been carried by numerous individuals in the arts, sciences and public life, testament to its lasting presence within British heritage.
Typical given names associated with the Kendrick surname
Male
- Andrew
- David
- Ian
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Carol
- Christine
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Jane
- Julie
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Kendrick in...
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There are approximately 6,349 people named Kendrick in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,493rd most common surname in Britain. Around 97 in a million people in Britain are named Kendrick.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Kendrick
- Anna Kendrick - American actress and singer
- Ellie Kendrick - Actress
- Graham Kendrick - Evangelical Christian singer-songwriter and worship leader
- Fiona Kendrick - Chairman and CEO of Nestlé UK & Ireland
- Neil Kendrick - Cricketer
- Adam Kendrick - Actor
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.