Show ContentsKinnett History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Kinnett

What does the name Kinnett mean?

Kinnett is a name of ancient Anglo-Saxon origin and comes from the family once having lived in the settlement of Kennett in Cambridgeshire, or in East Kennett or West Kennett in the county of Wiltshire. The surname Kinnett belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Kinnett family

The surname Kinnett was first found in Wiltshire. "This place, in Domesday Book called Chenete, was anciently a distinct parish, and was held by the church of St. Mary at Winchester." 1

Early History of the Kinnett family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kinnett research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1237, 1660, 1674, 1715, 1718, 1728 and 1780 are included under the topic Early Kinnett History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kinnett Spelling Variations

Sound was what guided spelling in the essentially pre-literate Middle Ages, so one person's name was often recorded under several variations during a single lifetime. Also, before the advent of the printing press and the first dictionaries, the English language was not standardized. Therefore, spelling variations were common, even among the names of the most literate people. Known variations of the Kinnett family name include Kennet, Kennett Kenet and others.

Early Notables of the Kinnett family

Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kinnett Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kinnett family

For political, religious, and economic reasons, thousands of English families boarded ships for Ireland, Canada, the America colonies, and many of smaller tropical colonies in the hope of finding better lives abroad. Although the passage on the cramped, dank ships caused many to arrive in the New World diseased and starving, those families that survived the trip often went on to make valuable contributions to those new societies to which they arrived. Early immigrants bearing the Kinnett surname or a spelling variation of the name include: Richard Kennet who was working as an apothecary in Boston in the 17th century; Benjamine Kennet settled in Annapolis Maryland in 1729; Peter Kennett settled in Virginia in 1655.



The Kinnett 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: Audi alteram partem
Motto Translation: Hear the other party.


  1. Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.


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