KENNETH
Kenneth
Kenneth is a Scottish and Northern Irish surname of Gaelic origin. It is derived from the medieval Gaelic personal name "Cinaed," which means "fire-born" or "born of fire." The name Cinaed was borne by several early Scottish kings, including Kenneth MacAlpin, known for uniting the kingdom of the Picts and the Scots in the 9th century.
The surname Kenneth is relatively rare, with most occurrences found in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is believed to have originated as a patronymic surname, meaning it was originally used to denote the descendants or relatives of a man named Kenneth.
Throughout history, bearers of the surname Kenneth have been associated with various professions and occupations. The name has also been anglicized as "Kennedy" in some instances, particularly in Ireland.
Today, the surname Kenneth is found both in its original form and in variations such as Kenner, Kennet, and Kennett. It continues to be a part of the rich tapestry of British surnames, reflecting the ancestral heritage of the Scottish and Northern Irish people.
There are approximately 377 people named Kenneth in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around six in a million people in Britain are named Kenneth.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Region of origin: Europe
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alexander
- Brian
- David
- George
- Gordon
- James
- John
- Murray
- Nigel
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Robin
- Simon
- William
Female
- Angela
- Dawn
- Dianne
- Fiona
- Helen
- Lilian
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Morag
- Patricia
- Rachel
- Samantha
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.