| ![Show Contents]() Kenneth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of KennethWhat does the name Kenneth mean? The Dalriadan clans of ancient Scotland spawned the ancestors of the Kenneth family. Their name comes from the personal name Coinneach. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Coinnich or Mac Choinnich, both of which mean son of Coinneach. Early Origins of the Kenneth familyThe surname Kenneth was first found in Ross, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects. Early History of the Kenneth familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kenneth research. Another 192 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1278, 1715, 1771 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Kenneth History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Kenneth Spelling VariationsSpelling variations of this family name include: MacKenzie, McKenzie, Kennethson, Kenneth, Kennieson, MacCoinnich (Gaelic), MacWhinnie, MacWhinny, MacWhinney and many more. Early Notables of the Kenneth familyMore information is included under the topic Early Kenneth Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Kenneth family to IrelandSome of the Kenneth family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Kenneth familySome of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Alexander McKenzie, his wife Isobel and their four children, who settled in Philadelphia in 1775; John and Mary McKenzie, who settled with two children in New York in 1738.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Kenneth (post 1700) | + |
- John Kenneth Galbraith (1908-2006), Canadian-born American economist and author and recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom
- Roy Kenneth Ackerman CBE (1942-2017), English restaurateur who owned the Gay Hussar
- Nicholas Kenneth Alston CBE, DL (b. 1952), British former Conservative Essex Police and Crime Commissioner
- Aaron Kenneth Myette (b. 1977), Canadian former Major League Baseball right-handed pitcher who played in the Nippon Professional Baseball (NPB)
- Charles Kenneth Hall (1935-2025), nicknamed "Sugar Land Express", American professional football player in the Canadian Football League (1957-1958), National Football League (1958-1961), playing for Edmonton Eskimos, Baltimore Colts, Chicago Cardinals, Houston Oilers and St. Louis Cardinals
- David Kenneth Harbour (b. 1975), American actor who has received nominations for two Primetime Emmy Awards, a Tony award and a Golden Globe Award
- John Kenneth Major ARIBA, FSA (1928-2009), popularly known as Ken Major, British architect, author and world authority on industrial archaeology
- James Kenneth Irving OC, ONB (1928-2024), Canadian billionaire businessman, owner and chairman of J. D. Irving (since 1992)
- Donald Kenneth Sundquist (1936-2023), American Republican politician, U.S. Representative from Tennessee 7th District, 1983-95; Governor of Tennessee, 1995- 1
- Bruce Kenneth Childs (1934-2023), Australian politician, born in Sydney, Senator for New South Wales (1981-1997)
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Sic itur as astra
Motto Translation: Such is the way to immortality
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