Kenward History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The present generation of the Kenward family is only the most recent to bear a name that dates back to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain. Their name comes from having lived in the settlement of Kenwood in Kenton in the county of Devon. The surname Kenward belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Kenward family

The surname Kenward was first found in Gloucestershire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Kenward family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kenward research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1086 and 1274 are included under the topic Early Kenward History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kenward Spelling Variations

Until the dictionary, an invention of only the last few hundred years, the English language lacked any comprehensive system of spelling rules. Consequently, spelling variations in names are frequently found in early Anglo-Saxon and later Anglo-Norman documents. One person's name was often spelled several different ways over a lifetime. The recorded variations of Kenward include Kenwood, Kentwood, Kenward, Kentward, Kenswood and others.

Early Notables of the Kenward family

Notables of this surname at this time include:

Kenwardus of Kenwood

Kenward migration to Canada +

Thousands of English families boarded ships sailing to the New World in the hope of escaping the unrest found in England at this time. Although the search for opportunity and freedom from persecution abroad took the lives of many because of the cramped conditions and unsanitary nature of the vessels, the opportunity perceived in the growing colonies of North America beckoned. Many of the settlers who survived the journey went on to make important contributions to the transplanted cultures of their adopted countries. The Kenward were among these contributors, for they have been located in early North American records:

Kenward Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

J. Kenward, who was on record in Ontario in 1816

Contemporary Notables of the name Kenward (post 1700) +

Richard Kenward (1875-1957), English cricketer
James Kenward (1908-1994), English author and illustrator
Harry Kenward, researcher and professor of archeology at the University of York, England
Shane Kenward (b. 1972), Australian professional rugby league footballer
Kenward Gray Elmslie, American poet and author