Kenny History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland-Alt 
  Ireland 


The Kenny surname in Ireland comes from the Gaelic Ó Coinnigh, which was an old Irish first name, made popular by a 6th century monk of the name, whose "church of Coinneach" became the name of the town Kilkenny.

Early Origins of the Kenny family

The surname Kenny was first found in counties Galway and Roscommon (Irish: Ros Comáin) located in central Ireland in the province of Connacht.

Early History of the Kenny family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kenny research. Another 99 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kenny History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kenny Spelling Variations

Those scribes in Ireland during the Middle Ages recorded names as they sounded. Consequently, in this era many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the Kenny family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Kenny, O'Kenny, Kenney, Kennie and others.

Early Notables of the Kenny family

Notable among the family name at this time was

Kenny World Ranking

In the United States, the name Kenny is the 1,799th most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Kenny is ranked the 908th most popular surname with an estimated 5,932 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Kenny is the 492nd popular surname with an estimated 96 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Kenny as 405th with 9,125 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Kenny as 626th with 1,141 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Kenny as 604th with 10,838 people. 6


Kenny migration to the United States +

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Kenny family in North America:

Kenny Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Kenny Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Kenny Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Kenny Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Kenny migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kenny Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Kenny Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Kenny migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Kenny Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
Kenny Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Kenny migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Kenny Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Kenny (post 1700) +


The Kenny 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: Teneat luceat floreat
Motto Translation: May it hold an shine.
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