Kennrick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Kennrick

What does the name Kennrick mean?

The ancestors of the Kennrick 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 Kennrick family

The surname Kennrick 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 Kennrick family

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

Kennrick Spelling Variations

Endless spelling variations are a prevailing characteristic of Norman surnames. Old and Middle English lacked any definite spelling rules, and the introduction of Norman French added an unfamiliar ingredient to the English linguistic stew. French and Latin, the languages of the court, also influenced spellings. Finally, Medieval scribes generally spelled words according to how they sounded, so one person was often referred to by different spellings in different documents. The name has been spelled Kenrick, Kenric, Kennrick and others.

Early Notables of the Kennrick family

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

Migration of the Kennrick family to Ireland

Some of the Kennrick 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 Kennrick family

To escape the political and religious persecution within England at the time, many English families left for the various British colonies abroad. The voyage was extremely difficult, though, and the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving. But for those who made it, the trip was most often worth it. Many of the families who arrived went on to make valuable contributions to the emerging nations of Canada and the United States. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families reveals a number of immigrants bearing the name Kennrick or a variant listed above: E. Kenrick who settled in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1823; John Kenrick settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1796.

The Kennrick 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: Virtue is honour

Sources +

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