Surname Kinnery - Meaning and Origin
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Kinnery: What does the surname Kinnery mean?
The last name Kinnery is an English surname derived from the Old English personal name Cynwrig. The personal name was itself derived from a combination of the old words cyn meaning 'royal' and hwig meaning 'warrior'. Thus, the surname Kinnery has historically signified a royal or noble lineage.
Originally the Kinnery surname was used in Middle and Old English times and would have been a prominent one in kingdoms like Mercia and Northumbria. The name was further adopted in England during the Norman Invasion of AD 1066 as a result of the all-encompassing Norman French culture.
The Kinnery surname also appears to have ties with Ireland and Scotland, particularly with the clans of Ulster and the lowlands of Scotland respectively. In particular, it has been proposed that the Irish surname, Kinneiry, may be a variant spelling of Kinnery.
At present, the Kinnery surname continues to be used in the English-speaking world, particularly in the United States. It has also spread to other nations across the world such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, South Africa, and India amongst others.
Overall, the last name Kinnery is a proud and distinguished legacy with its origins rooted in courage and strength. It speaks volumes of the bravery of its ancestors and how their strong sense of identity has been passed down the generations.
Order DNA origin analysisKinnery: Where does the name Kinnery come from?
The surname Kinnery is of Irish origin and it is an anglicized version of the Gaelic name "Ó Cinnfhaoladh," which means "descendant of Cinnfhaoladh," a personal name composed of the elements "cinn" (head) and "faol" (wolf). This implies that the early ancestors of the Kinnery family were identified by their symbolic relationships with strong and powerful animals, such as the wolf. Most Irish surnames originated from native Gaelic clans and septs, and names were converted into a phonetic form or a standard Anglicized version when the British captured Ireland.
As of today, the Kinnery surname isn't common. Since multiple spelling variations are expected with an anglicized name, similar or related names might be more prevalent. It's likely found among people with Irish descent, therefore could exist in countries where there's significant Irish diaspora, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Remember that surnames distribution can change over time due to migration, changing borders and local preferences.
Variations of the surname Kinnery
The documented variants for the surname Kinnery are relatively limited. The most common variation appears to be Kinner, which retains a semblance of phonetic similarity. Close kin to Kinner is the surname Inner, which drops the first letter 'K.' Other possible variations could include Kinny, Kinne, and Kinney, all derived from the base name 'Kin.'
There are additional possible variations if it originates from the Gaelic name Mac an Fhinnéir, Anglicized as MacKinnery, which means 'son of the fair-haired hero.' Besides MacKinnery, it can be spelled as MacKinner, MacKinnara, MacKinnery, MacKinnera, and MacKenner.
Other related surnames might be those that contain 'Kin' as their base, such as Kinsley, Kincaid, and McKinney, though a direct relation to the surname Kinnery cannot be definitively verified due to the variations in spelling and etymology. It's important to note that the evidence of structural and phonetically similar surnames can hint at a shared, possibly regional, origin, although it's not a guarantee. Due to historical record gaps, surname origins and variants can be complex to trace accurately.
Famous people with the name Kinnery
- Aden Kinnery: Professional basketball player and college coach
- Martha Kinnery: American photojournalist
- Michael Kinnery: Award-winning film editor
- Jim Kinnery: British television and theatre actor
- Lindsay Kinnery: UK singer-songwriter
- Tom Kinnery: English cricket umpire and former school teacher
- Frank Kinnery: British rhythm and blues musician
- Tony Kinnery: Professional golfer and author
- Jack Kinnery: British jazz saxophonist and composer
- Neil Kinnery: British actor and award-winning playwright