KENNA
The surname Kenna is of Irish origin and is found predominantly within the Celtic regions of the British Isles. It derives from the Gaelic personal name Mac Cionaodha, a composition of the elements cion, meaning respect or affection, and Aodh, the name of the ancient pagan god associated with fire. Consequently, the name has been interpreted to mean “son of the beloved Aodh” or “son of the affectionate fire‑god.”
Historical records record several orthographic variants, including MacKenna, McKenna, Kenna, Kennea, and Kennagh. The prefix Mac (son of) was frequently dropped in the eighteenth century by Irish emigrants and local residents seeking positions in the British civil service, yet the surname continued to flourish in its original forms.
The earliest associations of the name are situated in County Monaghan, where members of the clan were recognised as the Lords of Truagh. In the early nineteenth century, the clan maintained a family seat in the region and exerted influence over several kings of Ulster.
During the Great Potato Famine of the mid‑nineteenth century, a significant number of Kenna family members emigrated to the United States, Australia, and other parts of the world, thereby spreading the surname globally. Today, Kenna remains a common surname, particularly within Ireland, but is also frequently encountered in the United States, England, and Australia.
Notable bearers of the surname include Andrew MacKenna (1833–1872), a leading editor and writer in Belfast, and General John MacKenna (1771–1814), who served in the Spanish Army and later joined King Bernardo O´Higgins in Chile, becoming an important figure in South American military affairs. John Kenna was baptised on 12 May 1827 in the Endell Street hospital in London, and Julia Kennea travelled as a passenger on the ship Ferozepore from Liverpool to New York on 4 May 1847.
The surname is sometimes associated with the Gaelic clan name Mac Fhionghuin, and a few documented variations include McKenna, McKenna, Kenna, Kennagh, Kennaw, and Cenna. The presence of an O prefix in O'Kenna indicates a distinct branch of the family, illustrating how regional dialects and linguistic influences have produced a wide range of spellings.
While the precise etymological nuance of earlier meanings has faded over time, the contemporary understanding of the surname remains firmly rooted in its Gaelic heritage and its association with familial lineage and respect within Irish society.
Typical given names associated with the Kenna surname
Male
- Anthony
- David
- Gary
- James
- John
- Mark
- Martin
- Michael
- Paul
- Robert
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Amanda
- Angela
- Catherine
- Dawn
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Julie
- Kathleen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
- Tammy
Similar and related surnames
- Canna
- Kenney
- Kinna
- Kanna
- Kana
- Kannas
- Kaina
- Kanai
- Kann
- Kanas
- Kanne
- Mackenna
- Kaana
- Kanaa
- Kannagh
- Kanay
- Kenn
- Kean
- Keana
- Keannan
- Keena
- Keenagh
- Keenay
- Keenna
- Kehn
- Kein
- Keinnan
- Kenam
- Kenan
- Kenar
- Kene
- Kenee
- Kennagh
- Kennah
- Kennair
- Kennall
- Kennan
- Kennar
- Kennare
- Kennas
- Kennay
- Kenne
- Kennea
- Kenneh
- Kenns
- Khana
- Khanna
- Kahnn
- Keane
- Keean
- Keehn
- Keein
- Keene
- Keennan
- Keihn
- Keine
- Kenah
- Keney
- Kenez
- Kenia
- Kennaby
- Kennach
- Kennady
- Kennand
- Kennard
- Kennaugh
- Kennaway
- Kennear
- Kennes
- Kennie
- Kenny
- Keny
- Keyne
- Kiehn
- Kinney
- Caine
- Cone
- Coon
- Cownie
- Ghani
- Gunn
- Gwyn
- Gwynn
- Gwynne
- Kahn
- Kane
- Kanu
- Keen
- Keenan
- Keown
- Kewn
- Kiani
- Kyne
- Quan
- Quinn
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Kenna in...
Braille
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Morse
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Semaphore
There are approximately 954 people named Kenna in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,634th most common surname in Britain. Around 15 in a million people in Britain are named Kenna.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Kenna
- Michael Kenna - Photographer
- Paul Aloysius Kenna - Army officer and equestrian (1862 to 1915)
- Rebecca Kenna - Snooker and billiards player
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.