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Kennedy History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Sources

Kennedy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

Etymology of Kennedy

What does the name Kennedy mean?

The spelling and overall form of Irish names tend to vary widely over time. The original Gaelic form of the name Kennedy is O'Cinneide , which is derived from the words "ceann," which means "head," and "éidigh," which means "helmet" 1 or O'Cinnidha, which means "a nation" or "kind." (O'Hart)

Early Origins of the Kennedy family

The surname Kennedy was first found in County Tipperary (Irish: Thiobraid Árann), established in the 13th century in South-central Ireland, in the province of Munster. This distinguished Irish family were descended from Kennedy, nephew of King Brian Boru, Ireland's great Warrior King who fell in the battle of Clontarf in the year 1014. (O'Hart)

The name has a long and illustrious history that begins in early times: Flan O'Kennedy, Abbot of Tim, a learned poet who died in 1110; two O'Kennedy of Ormond chiefs who were slain in 1117; Giolla-Kevin O'Kennedy who died on a pilgrimage at Killaloe in 1159; O'Kennedy, Abbot of Innisfallen who died in 1198; Donal O'Kennedy, Bishop of Killaloe who died in 1212; and many more. (O'Hart)

Early History of the Kennedy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kennedy research. Another 67 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1615 and 1685 are included under the topic Early Kennedy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kennedy Spelling Variations

One name was often recorded under several different spellings during the life of its bearer because one must realize that attempting to record a Gaelic name in English is a daunting task at the best of times. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origin of the Kennedy family name include Kennedy, Minagh, Kennady, O'Kennedy and others.

Early Notables of the Kennedy family

Mathew Kennedy, who was forced to leave Ireland for France after the Fall of Limerick
Sir Robert Kennedy, 1st Baronet, an official of the Irish Court of Exchequer
Sir Richard Kennedy, 2nd Baronet, of Newtownmountkennedy (c.1615-1685), an Irish politician, landowner and judge, Baron of the Court of Exchequer (Ireland)
Sir Robert Kennedy, 3rd Baronet

Kennedy World Ranking

the United States, the name Kennedy is the 137^th most popular surname with an estimated 166,629 people with that name. 2 However, in Canada, the name Kennedy is ranked the 82^nd most popular surname with an estimated 30,952 people with that name. 3 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Kennedy is the 36^th popular surname with an estimated 600 people with that name. 4 Australia ranks Kennedy as 70^th with 33,714 people. 5 New Zealand ranks Kennedy as 98^th with 4,038 people. 6 The United Kingdom ranks Kennedy as 131^st with 38,674 people. 7

Kennedy migration to the United States +

The 18th and 19th centuries saw many Irish families immigrate to North America in search of land and opportunities. The largest influx of Irish immigrants to the United States and British North America came during the 1840s when the Great Potato Famine laid waste to their homeland. Hundreds of thousands left the island in an attempt to escape the starvation and disease it brought. Although the arrival of such a large number of destitute Irish was not welcomed by the established population in the United States and what would become known as Canada at the time, these Irish were an essential element to the rapid development of these growing industrial nations. They filled the demand for the cheap labor needed for the work in factories and in the construction of bridges, roads, canals, and railways. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many immigrants bearing the name of Kennedy or one of its variants:

Kennedy Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Catherine Kennedy, who arrived in Maryland in 1678 9
David Kennedy, who landed in New Jersey in 1685 9

Kennedy Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Margaret Kennedy, who landed in Virginia in 1716 9
David Kennedy, who arrived in Boston in 1737
Janette Kennedy, who landed in Connecticut in 1741 9
Darby Kennedy, who arrived in America in 1742
Matthew Kennedy, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1747 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kennedy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Peter Kennedy, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1802 9
Gilbert Kennedy, who arrived in Ohio in 1804 9
Hector Kennedy, who settled in Philadelphia in 1806
Rachel Kennedy, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 9
Dennis Kennedy, aged 48, who arrived in New York in 1812 9
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kennedy migration to Canada +

Kennedy Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Kennedy Charles U.E. who arrived at Port Roseway [Shelburne], Nova Scotia on October 26, 1783 was passenger number 191 aboard the ship "HMS Clinton", picked up on September 28, 1783 at Staten Island, New York, USA 10
Mr. Kennedy Patrick U.E. born in Baltimore, Maryland, USA from Maryland, USA who settled in Parr Town [Saint John], New Brunswick c. 1783 he was a passenger aboard the ship Martha which wrecked before arriving at Saint John 10
Mr. Kennedy William U.E. (b. 1753) born in Somerset, Maryland, USA who settled in Sunbury County, New Brunswick c. 1783 then in 1799 Whitchurch, King township [Aurora] Ontario he enlisted in 1776 serving in the Queens Own Loyal Virginia Regiment and Prince of Wales Regiment under Captain Daniel Lyman 10
Mr. Kennedy Aaron U.E. who settled in St. Stephen, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Port Matoon Association 10
Mr. Kennedy Alex U.E. who settled in St. Stephen, New Brunswick c. 1784 member of the Port Matoon Association 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kennedy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Donald Kennedy, aged 45, who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1803
Donald Kennedy, aged 45, a farmer, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia aboard the ship "Commerce" in 1803
Margaret Kennedy, aged 35, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia aboard the ship "Commerce" in 1803
Janet Kennedy, aged 10, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia aboard the ship "Commerce" in 1803
John Kennedy, aged 8, who arrived in Pictou, Nova Scotia aboard the ship "Commerce" in 1803
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kennedy migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet

Mr. James Kennedy, (d. 1791), British settler convicted in London, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Admiral Barrington" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8

Third Fleet

Miss Martha Kennedy, (b. 1755), aged 32, Irish settler convicted in Kingston upon Thames, London on 2nd April 1787, sentenced for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Prince of Wales" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 9
Mr. Michael Kennedy, British private on the Navy support ship for the First Fleet the "HMS Sirius" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788

Following the Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia include:

Kennedy Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Miss Ann Kennedy, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years , transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11

Kennedy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Thomas Kennedy, Irish convict who was convicted in Meath, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mr. Dennis Kennedy, British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. James Kennedy, British convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
Mr. Robert Kennedy, British convict who was convicted in Bristol, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in February 1803, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 13
William Henry Kennedy, English convict from Kent, who was transported aboard the "Ann" on August 1809, settling in New South Wales, Australia 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kennedy 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:

Kennedy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

John Mark Kennedy, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840
Donald Kennedy, who landed in Kawakawa, New Zealand in 1840
T. Kennedy, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 17th March 1841 15
J Kennedy, who landed in Auckland, New Zealand in 1841
Margaret Kennedy, aged 24, a servant, who arrived in Port Nicholson aboard the ship "Lady Nugent" in 1841
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Kennedy (post 1700) +

Virginia Joan Kennedy (1936-2025), née Bennett, American socialite, author, and advocate, first wife of U.S. Senator Ted Kennedy, published a guide to classical music (1992) and later became associated with mental health awareness, drawing public attention to addiction and recovery through her own experiences
Edward J. Kennedy Jr. (1951-2025), American politician, member of the Massachusetts Senate from the 1st Middlesex district (2019-2025), previously served as the 90th Mayor of Lowell (2016-2018)
Robert F Kennedy (1925-1968), American politician, brother of John F. Kennedy, posthumous recipient of the Presidential Medal of Freedom in 2024
Ethel Kennedy (1928-2024), née Skakel, American human rights advocate, widow of Robert F. Kennedy
Henry Mark Kennedy (1952-2024), American jurist who served as Associate Justice on the Alabama Supreme Court from 1989 to 1999
Moorhead Cowell Kennedy Jr. (1930-2024), American Foreign Service officer who was among 52 Americans held hostage for 444 days during the Iran hostage crisis
Donald J. "Don" Kennedy (1930-2023), American radio and television personality and voice talent, whose career began in the late 1940s with a radio announcer spot on Pennsylvania station WPIC
David Kennedy (1939-2021), American advertising executive who co-founded Wieden+Kennedy (W+K), listed as number 22 on the Advertising Age 100 ad people of the 20th century
John Arthur Kennedy (1914-1990), American Tony award and Golden Globe Award winning stage and film actor, five-time Academy Award nominee
... (Another 46 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Kennedy family +

Halifax Explosion

Master William David Kennedy (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 16
Mrs. Florence D. Kennedy (1888-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
Mrs. Hilda M. Kennedy (1900-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
Master James Clifford Kennedy (1917-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
Mr. Robert John Kennedy (1920-1941), Australian Stoker 2nd Class from Long Jetty, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 17
... (Another 29 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, Irish Families Their Names, Arms and Origins 4th Edition. Dublin: Irish Academic, 1982. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2364-7)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
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)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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)
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
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
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
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp