Kenneh last name popularity, history, and meaning

Find out how popular the last name Kenneh is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Kenneh.

Meaning of Kenneh

A surname derived from the Irish surname "Kennedy", meaning "descendant of the misshapen head".

Kenneh, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Kenneh surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Kenneh in America

Kenneh is the 150452nd most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kenneh surname appeared 109 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Kenneh.

The history of the last name Kenneh

The surname "KENNEH" is believed to have originated in England, with records dating back to the 11th century. It is derived from the Old English word "cene," meaning "bold" or "brave." This suggests that the name may have been initially bestowed upon someone known for their valor or courage.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. It mentions a landowner named Kenric de Cene, whose name likely evolved into the modern surname Kenneh over time.

The name Kenneh has also been linked to various place names in England, such as Kennet in Wiltshire and Kenn in Somerset. These locations may have influenced the spelling variations of the surname, including Kenney, Kennie, and Kenney.

Among the notable individuals who bore the surname Kenneh throughout history is Sir John Kenneh (1559-1625), an English courtier and diplomat who served under Queen Elizabeth I and King James I. He played a vital role in negotiating peace treaties and represented England in various diplomatic missions.

Another prominent figure was Thomas Kenneh (1670-1738), a British political writer and pamphleteer known for his support of the Whig party and his criticism of the Tory government during the reign of Queen Anne.

In the literary world, the name Kenneh is associated with the Irish writer James Kenneh (1760-1826), who authored several novels and plays, including "The Basket-Maker" and "The Retrospect."

The 18th century also saw the birth of William Kenneh (1738-1812), an English artist and engraver celebrated for his depictions of landscapes and architectural subjects. His works were highly sought after by collectors and art enthusiasts of his time.

Lastly, in the field of science, the name Kenneh is associated with Sir John Kenneh (1797-1876), a Scottish civil engineer and pioneer in the construction of railways. He is particularly renowned for his work on the London and Birmingham Railway, which was instrumental in the development of the modern railway system.

While the surname Kenneh may not be as widespread as others, its rich history and associations with notable individuals across various fields have contributed to its enduring legacy throughout the centuries.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kenneh

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Kenneh.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

  1. White only
  2. Black only
  3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
  4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
  5. Hispanic
  6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Kenneh was:

Race/Ethnicity Percentage Total Occurrences
Non-Hispanic White Only 9.17% 10
Non-Hispanic Black Only 88.99% 97
Non-Hispanic Asian and Pacific Islander Only 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic American Indian and Alaskan Native 0.00% 0
Non-Hispanic of Two or More Races (S)% (S)
Hispanic Origin (S)% (S)

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Kenneh was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kenneh, please contact us.

Reference this page

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If you found the data or information on this page useful in your research, please use the tool below to properly cite or reference Name Census as the source. We appreciate your support!

"Kenneh last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com. Accessed on November 22, 2024. http://namecensus.com/last-names/kenneh-surname-popularity/.

"Kenneh last name popularity, history, and meaning". NameCensus.com, http://namecensus.com/last-names/kenneh-surname-popularity/. Accessed 22 November, 2024

Kenneh last name popularity, history, and meaning. NameCensus.com. Retrieved from http://namecensus.com/last-names/kenneh-surname-popularity/.

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