Surname Kinnarney - Meaning and Origin
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Kinnarney: What does the surname Kinnarney mean?
Kinnarney is an Irish (Gaelic)-origin surname, most commonly found in County Cork, Munster, Ireland. The name is derived from the Gaelic phrase Cinn Ard - meaning "head of the height." This refers to a place at the summit of a hill that was used as a meeting place or ceremonial ground in ancient times.
The name likely originated as a toponymic (place-name) surname, referring to someone who lived in or near the "head of the height." This could refer to a prominent dwelling such as a fort or castle, which in ancient times was the residence of a local chieftain or lord. Over time, toponymic surnames such as Kinnarney became hereditary family names, passed down through generations of familly members.
During the Middle Ages, the Kinnarney family were notable land-owners in Munster, holding several estates in the region. As members of the local gentry, they wielded considerable power and influence in the area. Today, the surname is still seen in Munster, particularly around County Cork. Although it is no longer a particularly common name, those people that do bear the name are proud to continue the centuries-old tradition of their ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisKinnarney: Where does the name Kinnarney come from?
The last name Kinnarney is most commonly found in Ireland. It is an Irish surname whose origin dates back many centuries, first being recorded in County Sligo, Connacht, one of the oldest surnames in the country. It is a Gaelic surname derived from the old Irish Ó Coinnigheáin, which means 'descendant of Coinnigheán', with Coinnigheán meaning 'black headed one'. The name may have evolved from the personal name 'Ceallach', which means 'strife' or 'contention'.
In the early times, the Kinnarneys were mostly known as farmers and shepherds. Today, the name is quite common in the southern and western parts of the country, particularly in Limerick, Sligo, Mayo, Murray and Galway counties.
It is also even found in America, where many Irish families emigrated during the 19th century. You will see the name popping up in places like New York City, Boston, New Jersey and other locations along the East Coast. There are also a few instances of the name across Great Britain, especially in England.
So, while Kinnarney may still be considered somewhat of a rare name, it is more common today than it has been in centuries past!
Variations of the surname Kinnarney
The surname Kinnarney is derived from an Irish surname and can be altered or misspelled in many ways. Variations and spelling spellings of Kinnarney include Kinarney, Kinnara, Kinneary, Kinarney, Kinney, Kinnear, Kineriah, Kinerely, and Kinneery. It can also vary slightly in spelling if the letter "R" is added or removed, so it can also be Kinnearny or Kinnaney.
The surname can also be traced back to other regions, and variations of Kinnarney may include Kinnaar, Kinneray, Kinneyram, Kennarney, Kinnery, Kinnerley, Kinraey, and Kinnerally.
For those who have families who immigrated from Europe to the United States, the surname of Kinnarney may be anglicized or have a more Americanized variation, such as Kinnerk, Kinener, Kinner, Kinnerley, Kinnerly, Kinnersly, Kinnery, Kinness, and Kinner.
In addition, some people's families may have changed the original spelling of the surname, leading to more unique variations such as Kinnary, Kinar, Kinarney, Kinnereth, Kineary, and Kinneyry.
No matter how the surname is spelled, it is likely that all variations originated from the same root or from different cultures. This type of surname can easily be confused with other similar-sounding names of Irish or Scottish origin, such as Kenneally, Kennerly, and Kinny. Despite these small differences, the name Kinnarney is still concentrated in certain areas of Ireland and the United States.
Famous people with the name Kinnarney
- Molly Kinney: Actress known for her roles in shows such as "Helix" and "The Good Stuff."
- Peter Kinnear: Canadian actor, known for roles in "Room" and "Strained."
- Conor Kinnarney: Irish actor, who has starred in a few shows such as "Line of Duty" and "Ballykissangel."
- Lainey Kinnarney: American actress, best known for her roles in "Once Upon a Time in Hollywood" and "The Big Break."
- Mark Kinnarney: American actor, best known for movies such as "Dirty Dancing" and "Little Big Man."
- Lauren Kinnarney: American singer-songwriter and actress, known for her roles in "Gossip Girl" and "Hart of Dixie."
- Liam Kinnarney: British actor, known for roles in films such as "Dustbin Baby" and "The Sorcerer's Apprentice."
- Michael Kinnarney: Irish actor, best known for his roles in TV shows such as "Lightfields" and "Coronation Street."
- Patrick Kinnarney: Canadian actor and voice actor, known for working on "Futurama" and "BIONICLE: Mask of Light."
- Barry Kinnarney: American actor, best known for his roles in movies such as "The Meaning of Life" and "Haunted."