Kenwright History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Etymology of Kenwright

What does the name Kenwright mean?

Kenwright is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. It comes from the given name Kendrick.

Early Origins of the Kenwright family

The surname Kenwright 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 Kenwright family

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

Kenwright Spelling Variations

Before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago, spelling variations of names were a common occurrence. Elements of Latin, Norman French and other languages became incorporated into English throughout the Middle Ages, and name spellings changed even among the literate. The variations of the surname Kenwright include Kenrick, Kenric, Kennrick and others.

Early Notables of the Kenwright family

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

Migration of the Kenwright family to Ireland

Some of the Kenwright 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 Kenwright family

In England at this time, the uncertainty of the political and religious environment of the time caused many families to board ships for distant British colonies in the hopes of finding land and opportunity, and escaping persecution. The voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, though, and many arrived in North America sick, starved, and destitute. Those who did make it, however, were greeted with greater opportunities and freedoms that they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make important contributions to the young nations in which they settled. Early immigration records have shown some of the first Kenwrights to arrive on North American shores: E. Kenrick who settled in Baltimore, Maryland, in 1823; John Kenrick settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, in 1796.

Contemporary Notables of the name Kenwright (post 1700) +

William Kenwright CBE (1945-2023), English West End theatre producer and film producer

The Kenwright 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.