| Kenneth History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms Etymology of KennethWhat does the name Kenneth mean? The old Scottish-Dalriadan name Kenneth is derived from the personal name Coinneach. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Coinnich or Mac Choinnich, both of which mean son of Coinneach. However, In Adamnan, the Gaelic form of the name is Cainnechus, which is derived from the word cann, meaning fair or bright; thus, the surname is of the 'nickname' variety in this case. Kenneth Coat of Arms CreationThe Mackenzies have a deer's head for their crest, and the Gaelic motto, " Cuidich an Righ " (Help the King), alleged to have been given under the following circumstances: The founder of the family, Colin Fitzgerald, who was reputed to be an Irish adventurer, was, in 1265, with his sovereign, Alexander III., hunting in the forest of Mar, when a stag, pursued by the hounds, made straight for the King. The brave Colin interposed his own person between His Majesty and the infuriated animal, shot the stag in the forehead, and in gratitude he was granted the right to use as his armorial bearings a stag's head bleeding where the arrow pierced it, with two greyhounds as supporters. The incident of the hunt was painted by B. West for the last of the Seaforths. The artist received £800 for the noble picture, which is still preserved in Brahan Castle. According to Nisbet their crest was a sun in its splendour, and the motto, " Luceo non uro " (I shine but I do not burn), which motto is now on the beautiful old furniture in Brahan Castle; but neither the above crest nor motto is shown in Burke's Peerage. 1 Early Origins of the Kenneth familyThe surname Kenneth was first found in Ross-shire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Rois) a former county, now part of the Council Areas of Highland and Western Isles in Northern Scotland, which emerged from the Gaelic lordship of the Earl of 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, 1561, 1568, 1569, 1594, 1611, 1630, 1635, 1636, 1651, 1662, 1677, 1678, 1688, 1691, 1714, 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 VariationsTranslation in medieval times was an undeveloped science and was often carried out without due care. For this reason, many early Scottish names appeared radically altered when written in English. The spelling variations of Kenneth include MacKenzie, McKenzie, Kennethson, Kenneth, Kennieson, MacCoinnich (Gaelic), MacWhinnie, MacWhinny, MacWhinney and many more. Early Notables of the Kenneth familyNotable amongst the Clan from early times was - Kenneth Mackenzie (died 1568), 10th of Kintail and nicknamed Coinneach na Cuirc (or "Kenneth of the Whittle"), a Highland chief
- Kenneth Mackenzie, the first Lord Mackenzie of Kintail (c.1569-1611), a Highland Clan chief
- Kenneth Mackenzie, 3rd Earl of Seaforth (1635-1678), a Highland clan chief and Scottish nobleman
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 familyThese settlers arrived in North America at a time when the east was burgeoning with prosperous colonies and the expanses of the west were just being opened up. The American War of Independence was also imminent. Some Scots stayed to fight for a new country, while others who remained loyal went north as United Empire Loyalists. The ancestors of all of them went on to rediscover their heritage in the 20th century through highland games and other patriotic Scottish events. The Kenneth were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records: 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
- George Kenneth Griffey Jr. (b. 1969), nicknamed "Junior" and "the Kid", an American former Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder who played for 22 years, winner of 10 Gold Glove Awards in center field and is tied for the record of most consecutive games with a home run, inducted into the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2016
- George Kenneth Griffey Sr. (b. 1950), American Major League Baseball (MLB) outfielder who played from 1973 through 1991, father of Hall of Fame outfielder Ken Griffey Jr
- Steven Kenneth Fairweather (b. 1977), Canadian musician, radio show host and comic book writer
- John Kenneth Ambler (b. 1924), English nobleman who married Princess Margaretha of Sweden
- 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
Kenneth Motto and War Cry | + |
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: Luceo non uro Motto Translation: I shine not burn. War Cry: "Tullaich Ard."
- Polson, Alexander, The Romance of Scottish Crests and Mottoes. Inverness: Walter Alexander, Inglis Street 1929. Print
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