Kennedy Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the Kennedy surname: its meaning, its roots in Ireland, and its heraldry.
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Origin of the Kennedy name
Kennedy comes from Ó Cinnéide, "descendant of Cinnéide", a personal name meaning "helmeted head" or "ugly head". The sept descends from a nephew of Brian Boru and held lands in County Clare before moving to Tipperary. A separate Kennedy family arose in Ayrshire, Scotland.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Kennedy name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Kennedy name in Ireland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Scotland and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full Kennedy family history
The researched Kennedy pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized Kennedy coat of arms.
Kennedy name FAQ
What does the Kennedy name mean?
Descendant of Cinnéide. Common variants include O'Kennedy, Kenedy, Canady.
Where does the Kennedy surname come from?
It originates in Ireland, and is also found in the United States, Scotland and Australia.
Is there a Kennedy coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Kennedy crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Kennedy coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); George F. Black, The Surnames of Scotland (New York Public Library, 1946).