Show ContentsKenwreck History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancestors of the Kenwreck family first reached the shores of England in the wave of migration after the Norman Conquest of 1066. Their name is derived from the given name Kendrick.

Early Origins of the Kenwreck family

The surname Kenwreck 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 Kenwreck family

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

Kenwreck Spelling Variations

Norman surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are largely due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The introduction of Norman French to England, as well as the official court languages of Latin and French, also had pronounced influences on the spelling of surnames. Since medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings. The name has been spelled Kenrick, Kenric, Kennrick and others.

Early Notables of the Kenwreck family

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

Ireland Migration of the Kenwreck family to Ireland

Some of the Kenwreck 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 Kenwreck family

Many English families emigrated to North American colonies in order to escape the political chaos in Britain at this time. Unfortunately, many English families made the trip to the New World under extremely harsh conditions. Overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the stormy Atlantic. Despite these hardships, many of the families prospered and went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the United States and Canada. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the name Kenwreck or a variant listed above: E. Kenrick who settled in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1823; John Kenrick settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1796.



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


Houseofnames.com on Facebook