Kenrock History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Kenrock

What does the name Kenrock mean?

Kenrock is one of the many names that the Normans brought with them when they conquered England in 1066. The name Kenrock came from the given name Kendrick.

Early Origins of the Kenrock family

The surname Kenrock was first found in Denbighshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Nantclwyd Woore. The name appears as Kenricus and Kenric in the Domesday Book in 1086. "The family of Kenrick of Nantclwyd Woore, co Denbigh, claim from David Kenrick who fought under the Black Prince at Creci and Poictiers." 1

Early History of the Kenrock family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kenrock research. Another 79 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1659 and 1699 are included under the topic Early Kenrock History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kenrock Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Kenrock are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Kenrock include Kenrick, Kenric, Kennrick and others.

Early Notables of the Kenrock family

More information is included under the topic Early Kenrock Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kenrock family to Ireland

Some of the Kenrock family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kenrock family

Faced with the chaos present in England at that time, many English families looked towards the open frontiers of the New World with its opportunities to escape oppression and starvation. People migrated to North America, as well as Australia and Ireland in droves, paying exorbitant rates for passages in cramped, unsafe ships. Many of the settlers did not make the long passage alive, but those who did see the shores of North America were welcomed with great opportunity. Many of the families that came from England went on to make essential contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Kenrock, or a variant listed above: E. Kenrick who settled in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1823; John Kenrick settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1796.

The Kenrock Motto +

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: Virtue is honour

Sources +

Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.