THE KENNEDY NAME AND SPELLINGS

The Kennedy family name and what it stands for has been a matter of pride for centuries. Family pride is a commendable trait and should be cultivated. All Kennedys have just cause to be proud of their family name, history and traditions.

The name Kennedy is one of the very ancient names. It is said by some authorities to have been the Anglicization of the Irish name O'Clinnidah, while others say that it was originally derived from the Celtic Ceaunathigue (Cenna-Thighe) meaning; "Head or chief of their clan." It is found on ancient records in the various forms of O'Cinnidh, O'Cinnidigh, O'Kennedy, Kenedy, Kenneth, and Kennedy of which the last is the form most generally accepted in America today.

Another authority claims that both Kennedy and McKenzie came from the name Kenneth.

Another authority says that the name comes from the Irish O'Ceannphada or O'Cinnidh or from the Irish Caoinnach (peaceable man).

Another authority claims that the name was originally Cennedi (a man by that name in Ireland was the ancestor of Brian Boru, King of Munster and Monarch of Ireland).

Finally another authority says: "Cunneda, a chieftain of the Votadini tribe of Lothian, was sent by the Saxon leader Votigern, to southwest Scotland to establish settlements to resist Picto Scottish sea raids. These settlements spread down the west coast of Scotland as far as north Wales. In the Celtic language Cunneda was rendered as Cinneidigh (meaning ugly or - grim-headed. The name gradually became especially associated with the district of Carrick in Ayshire, Scotland.

"Kenkynol" is Gaelic for "Head of the Clan" - the Chief, and can only be passed down in the male line according to Celtic law. From Kenkynol the name of Kenneth and Kennedy is derived, both mean "chief of the Clan."

I shall leave you to your own thoughts on this matter as to which version is most correct.

Some of the Kennedy who settled in the North of Ireland called themselves O'Kennedy. One of these was Darby O'Kennedy of Ballekierogue Castle, whose son John of Dublin, died in 1758.

The following spellings are given along with the dates of their appearance. Spelling was not the exact science that exists today and spelling was done by the person doing the writing, the way they heard the name, therefore we find the following spellings all of which reflect the name Kennedy; mac Kenedi about 1174, MacKenede 1185, MacKenedi reign of Alexander I, Kenedi same period, Macenedy or Mackenedi 1240-8, Mackenedy 1260, Makenedy 1266, MacKennedy 1230-70, Kenedy 1290, Kennedy 1296, Kennedy 1321, Kyneidy 1333-42, Keneidy 1342, Kennedy 1346, McKenedy reign of Robert II, Kynidy 1376, Kennedye 1384, Kennedy 1390, Kennyde 1393, Canedie 1420, Kenedi 1426, Kennadee 1450, Keneby and Kenedy 1462, Kennedy of Bargnay 1464, Kennedy of Cullean 1464, Kenyde 1477, Kennydy and Kinydy 1486, Kennerty 1487, Kennerty 1493, Kennide 1500, Kennude 1520, Kanydi 1521, Kanide 1526, Kenide 1535, Kennite 1538, Kendy 1439, Kenadie 1558, Kendye 1562, Kennetye 1566, Kennatie and Kennaty 1567, Kenate 1575, Kennetie and Kennety 1583, and among the Scots Guards in France Camede.

WHAT THE KENNEDY NAME MEANS

The surname Kennedy appears to be Patronymic in Origin. Research indicates that it can be associated with the Irish and Scots, meaning, "descendant of Kennedy (Head, Armor).

The following excerpts are from "The Surnames of Scotland" by Black: The Modern Gaelic form of the name is Ceannaideach, Ir. Cinneide or Cinneidigh, Mid. Ir. Cendetig (Book of Leinster. fol. 150b20), literally "ugly headed" (Kuno Meyer) or "grim headed" (Watson I, p.409). Cf. the Gaelic name of Loch Etive "Loch Eitigh", "ugly, horrid loch," (from the name of the goddess of the loch) (Watson, I, p. 46). We moderns interpret the name as meaning "Fierce".

Submitted by: Kip Kennedy, Kipper3003@aol.com