The name Keynon is of Anglo-Saxon origin and came from when the family lived in the township of Kenyon found in the parish of Winwick in the county of Lancashire. [1]
The surname Keynon was first found in Lancashire where Lord Kenyon's family are descended from the Kenyons of Peele and their surname is doubtless derived from the township of Kenyon in that shire. [2]
"Early mention is made of a family of the local name, and also of the Lauton family, of whom Jordan de Lauton, in the reign of Edward I., assumed the name of Kenyon. Kenyon Hall, the original residence of the Kenyons, was rebuilt in the 17th century, and is the property of the earl [of Wilton]. " [1]
Lowton in Lancashire "gave name to a family who subsequently adopted the surname of Kenyon from their possessions in a neighbouring township." [1]
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Keynon research. Another 81 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1812, 1869 and 1848 are included under the topic Early Keynon History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Keynon are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Keynon include: Kenyon, Kenion, Kennion and others.
More information is included under the topic Early Keynon Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the Keynon 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.
Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Keynon or a variant listed above: Henry Kenyon arrived in Philadelphia in 1795; Bernard, James, Peter, Robert, Samuel and Thomas Kenyon all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..