KENT
Kent
Origin and Meaning Kent is a surname of English origin, derived from the Old English word "cynet" or "cent", meaning coastal or edge. It is believed to have originated as a locational surname for someone who lived in the county of Kent in southeastern England.
History The surname Kent has ancient origins in England and has been recorded as early as the 12th century. The earliest known recording of the surname is that of Ailwardus de Cant, dated 1115, in the "Records of St. Benet of Holme". Over the centuries, the surname Kent has spread beyond the county of Kent and is now found throughout the United Kingdom and in various English-speaking countries.
Notable Individuals
- Thomas Kent (1765–1818) - English Romantic landscape painter known for his picturesque and serene landscapes.
- Princess Michael of Kent (born 1945) - A member of the British royal family, married to Prince Michael of Kent, Queen Elizabeth II's first cousin.
- Rockwell Kent (1882-1971) - American painter, printmaker, illustrator, and writer, known for his adventurous life and artistic contributions.
Pop Culture References The surname Kent is also famously associated with the fictional character Clark Kent, the secret identity of Superman, a superhero appearing in American comic books published by DC Comics. Created by writer Jerry Siegel and artist Joe Shuster, Clark Kent is an icon of American pop culture and has been portrayed in various films, TV shows, and other media adaptations.
Variants Variants of the surname Kent include Kents, Kennt, and Kentt.
There are approximately 24,369 people named Kent in the UK. That makes it the 337th most common surname in Britain. Around 374 in a million people in Britain are named Kent.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Robert
- Stephen
Female
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Jennifer
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Rebecca
- Sarah
- Susan
- Victoria
Similar and related surnames
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.