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Show ContentsKendall History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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  • England England
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Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

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Cornwall in southwestern England provides the original birthplace of the surname Kendall. As populations grew, people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. Unlike most Celtic peoples, who favored patronymic names, the Cornish predominantly used local surnames. This was due to the heavy political and cultural influence of the English upon the Cornish People at the time that surnames first came into use. Local surnames were derived from where a person lived, held land, or was born. While many Cornish surnames of this sort appear to be topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees, many are actually habitation surnames derived from lost or unrecorded place names. The name Kendall history began in Treworgy in Duloe. The parish of Kendall in Westmorland was home to many of the family. "On the east bank of the river are the ruins of a castle, the baronial seat of the lords of Kendal, and the birthplace of Catherine Parr, the last queen of Henry VIII." 1 "The manufacture of 'Kendal green' made this town early famous, and of necessity caused the surname to be common." 2 3 However, another source disagrees with these sources. "The general opinion seems to be that this family is of different origin from that of the Kendalls of Westmorland, whose name is derived from Kirby-in-Kendale. Kendall signifies to see or behold the dale or valley; otherwise Kendall or Cendall is fine linen; and Cendale may be a corruption of Pendall, i. e. the head of the valley." 4

Early Origins of the Kendall family

The surname Kendall was first found in Treworgy in Duloe, and are traced to Richard Kendall or Treworgy, Burgess for Lunceston in the forty-third of Edward III. For many centuries Pelyn was the family seat for this family. And it here that Walter, the third son of John Kendall of Treworgy married a daughter and coheir of Robert Holland, an illegitimate son of a Duke of Exeter. 5

"This place belonged for many ages to the ancient and respectable family of Kendall, who had their seat here; one of whom was sheriff of Cornwall in the year 1385. In this family it remained until the days of William III. when John Kendall, Esq. having no issue, sold Treworgye to the family of Williams of Bodenick." 6

"The Kendalls of Cornwall, long and still resident at Pelyn, were formerly of Treworgy in that county." 4

"The Kendalls of Pelyn [in the parish of Lanlivery, Cornwall] are descended from Walter, third son of John Kendall of Treworgy, who married a daughter and co-heiress of Robert Holland, descended from the Bishop of Exeter. There are several memorials in Lanlivery church for this family; that which bears the earliest date is for Walter Kendall, in 1547." 6

The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 had the following listings of the family: Johannes de Kendall; Thomas de Kendale; Edmundus de Kendall and finally Johannes de Kendall, Webster. 2 John de Kendale was listed in the Subsidy Rolls of Lancashire in 1332. 7

Early History of the Kendall family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kendall research. Another 240 words (17 lines of text) covering the years 1539, 1577, 1588, 1625, 1640, 1643, 1647, 1686, 1690, 1694, 1696 and 1708 are included under the topic Early Kendall History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kendall Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and 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 of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Kendall, Kendal, Kendel, Kendell, Kendale and others.

Early Notables of the Kendall family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

  • Nicholas Kendall (c. 1577-1643), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons in 1625 and 1640 killed in action fighting on the Royalist side in the English Civil War

Kendall World Ranking

In the United States, the name Kendall is the 1,017th most popular surname with an estimated 29,844 people with that name. 8 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Kendall is ranked the 555th most popular surname with an estimated 82 people with that name. 9 And in Australia, the name Kendall is the 705th popular surname with an estimated 5,557 people with that name. 10 New Zealand ranks Kendall as 697th with 1,023 people. 11 The United Kingdom ranks Kendall as 648th with 10,079 people. 12

United States Kendall migration to the United States +

A search of the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Kendall:

Kendall Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Capt. George Kendall, who settled in the Virginia colony in 1607 aboard the ship "Discovery", he was executed for mutiny
  • John and Robert Kendall, who all, who settled in Virginia in 1635
  • Mr. Henry Kendall, aged 17, who arrived in Virginia aboard the ship "David" in 1635 13
  • Francis Kendall, who arrived in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1640 14
  • Mary Kendall, who arrived in Virginia in 1652 14
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Kendall Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Catherine Kendall, who arrived in Virginia in 1702 14
  • Danll Kendall, who arrived in Virginia in 1713 14
  • Henry Kendall, who arrived in Virginia in 1737 14
Kendall Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Amos Kendall, who arrived in Mississippi in 1856 14
  • Mr. William Joseph Kendall, (b. 1868), aged 20, Cornish settler departing from Liverpool aboard the ship "City of Chicago" arriving in New York, USA on 17 December 1888 15
Kendall Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Charles Kendall, (b. 1879), aged 21, Cornish clay miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 15th April 1900 en route to Hancock, Michigan, USA 16
  • Mr. Martin Kendall, (b. 1879), aged 21, Cornish clay miner travelling aboard the ship "New York" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 15th April 1900 en route to Hancock, Michigan, USA 16
  • Mrs. Elizabeth Jane Kendall, (b. 1860), aged 44, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 17th March 1904 en route to West Plains, Missouri, USA 16
  • Miss Lillie Maud Kendall, (b. 1890), aged 14, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "St Louis" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 27th March 1904 en route to West Plains, Missouri, USA 16
  • Mr. Thomas Henry Kendall, (b. 1880), aged 25, Cornish miner, from Grampound, UK travelling aboard the ship "Oceanic" arriving at Ellis Island, New York on 3rd May 1905 en route to Calumet, Michigan, USA 16
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Kendall migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kendall Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Mr. Kendall Jesse U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 17
  • Mr. Kendall Nathan U.E. who settled in New Brunswick c. 1784 17

Australia Kendall migration to Australia +

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

Kendall Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century
  • Mr. John Kendall(b. 1794), aged 26, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 7th August 1820, sentenced for life for housebreaking and stealing jewelery and money, transported aboard the ship "Lady Riley" on 4th January 1721 to Van Diemen's Land, Tasmania, Australia 18
Kendall Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Thomas Kendall, English convict from Kent, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 19
  • Mr. John Kendall, (b. 1794), aged 26 born in Newquay, Cornwall, UK convicted in Cornwall in August 1820, sentenced for life for housebreaking, transported aboard the ship "Lady Ridley" in 1821 to Van Diemen's Land, Tasmania, Australia 20
  • Mr. George Kendall, English convict who was convicted in Northampton, Northamptonshire, England for life, transported aboard the "Enchantress"on 6th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 21
  • Mr. Isaac Kendall, (b. 1815), aged 19, English convict who was convicted in Leeds, Yorkshire, England for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 27th September 1834, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 22
  • Mr. Thomas Kendall, (b. 1814), aged 21, Cornish settler convicted in Cornwall, UK on 7th April 1835, sentenced for life for stealing cattle, transported aboard the ship "Royal Sovereign" on 25th July 1835 to New South Wales, Australia 23
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Kendall 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:

Kendall Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • W Kendall, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1841
  • William Kendall, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Annie Wilson" in 1863
  • William Kendall, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Asterope" in 1865
  • Martha Kendall, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Asterope" in 1865
  • J.W. Kendall, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Asterope" in 1865
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Kendall (post 1700) +

  • Donald Mcintosh "Don" Kendall (1921-2020), American businessman and political adviser, CEO of Pepsi Cola from 1971 to 1986
  • Doug Kendall (1964-2015), American lawyer, founder of the Constitutional Accountability Center
  • Carol Kendall (1917-2012), American author of children's books
  • Lieutenant-General Paul Wilkins Kendall (1898-1983), American Commanding General 6th Army (1955-1957) 24
  • David Evan Kendall (b. 1944), American attorney and Rhodes Scholar
  • Henry Way Kendall (b. 1926), American activist and physicist, professor of physics at Massachusetts Institute of Technology 1961-1999, winner of Nobel Prize in Physics in 1990
  • Edward Calvin Kendall (1886-1972), American biochemist, who won the Nobel Prize in Medicine in 1950
  • Howard Kendall (1946-2015), English footballer and manager who played from 1963 to 1981 and managed from 1979 to 1999, inducted into the League Managers Association's Hall of Fame
  • Sir Maurice George Kendall (1907-1983), English mathematician
  • Kay Kendall (1927-1959), English actress
  • ... (Another 6 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Empress of Ireland
  • Mr. Henry George Kendall (1874-1914), English Ship’s Captain from Blundellsands, Waterloo, Liverpool, England, United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland and survived the sinking 25
HMS Dorsetshire
  • Sydney Frederick Osborne Kendall (d. 1945), British Leading Stoker aboard the HMS Dorsetshire when she was struck by air bombers and sunk; he died in the sinking 26
HMS Hood
  • Mr. Albert J Kendall (b. 1910), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Southampton, Hampshire, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 27
HMS Prince of Wales
  • Mr. Baish Kendall, British Leading Seaman, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and survived the sinking 28

The Kendall 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: Virtus depressa resurget
Motto Translation: Virtue, though depressed, shall rise again.
  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Arthur, William , An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. London: 1857. Print
  4. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
  5. Shirley, Evelyn Philip, The Noble and Gentle Men of England; The Arms and Descents. Westminster: John Bower Nichols and Sons, 1866, Print.
  6. Hutchins, Fortescue, The History of Cornwall, from the Earliest Records and Traditions to the Present Time. London: William Penaluna, 1824. Print
  7. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  8. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  9. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  10. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  11. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  12. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  13. Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's Retrieved January 6th 2023, retrieved from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
  14. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  15. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 30). Emigrants to New York 1820 - 1891 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_new_york_1820_1891.pdf
  16. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  17. Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
  18. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
  19. State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Ann voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1809 with 200 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/ann/1809
  20. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/tasmanian_convicts_cornish.pdf
  21. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/enchantress
  22. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 7th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/bengal-merchant
  23. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 30th May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_australia_convicts.pdf
  24. Generals of World War II. (Retrieved 2012, March 30) Paul Kendall. Retrieved from http://generals.dk/general/Kendall/Paul_Wilkins/USA.html
  25. Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
  26. Force Z Survivors HMS Dorsetshire Crew List, (Retrieved 2018, February 13th), https://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listdorsetshirecrew.html
  27. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  28. HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
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