Kennedy


Select Kennedy Surname Genealogy

Kennedy is the anglicized form of the Gaelic O'Ceanneidigh, descendant of Ceanneidigh.  The root of the name is ceann, meaning "head," and eidigh, meaning "ugly."  There are two origins of the Kennedys, one Scottish and the other Irish.

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Scotland.  The Scottish clan originated in Carrick in south Ayrshire where the first of the family was Duncan de Carrick in the early 13th century.  This section of Ayrshire was part of the Galloway Gaidhealachd, a strong Gaelic-speaking area of the Scottish Lowlands.  The family seat was Culzean castle.  Gilbert Kennedy of Dunure was close to the Scottish monarchy and served as Regent during the 1460's. 

Meanwhile, Ulric Kennedy fled Ayrshire in the 15th century to seek refuge in the Highlands.  From this Highland branch, Kennedys settled in Aberdeen and on the Isle of Skye.  Scottish Kennedys also became planters in Northern Ireland.

Ireland.  The Irish Kennedys, originally from county Clare, moved across the river Shannon to Ormond in northern Tipperary where they were lords of Ormond for many centuries.  The sept then split into three branches, the chiefs of which were referred to by their hair colours: don (brown), fionn (blond), and rua (red).  Around 1600, a branch migrated to county Antrim where many Kennedys are still to be found.

Kennedy is the 16th most common surname in Ireland today.  Irish Kennedys have emigrated to America and also to Newfoundland.


America.  The first of the Kennedy clan in America was Patrick Kennedy.  He left Wexford in Ireland for Boston in Massachusetts during the potato famine.  Joe Kennedy grew up in the Boston Irish community and made the family's money in the early 20th century.  From Joe came the Kennedy dynasty, starting with John F. Kennedy the 35th President.

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James Kennedy was Bishop of St. Andrews and briefly Chancellor of Scotland during the 15th century.
Joseph Kennedy was JFK's father and US ambassador to Britain at the outbreak of World War Two.
John F. Kennedy was elected 35th President of the United States in 1960 and assassinated in 1963.
Robert F. Kennedy is was the US Senator from New York assassinated in 1968.
Ted Kennedy was the US Senator from Massachusetts.
Ludovic Kennedy from Edinburgh was a British journalist and broadcaster.
Helena Kennedy from Glasgow is a British Labor activist, lawyer, and broadcaster.
Paul Kennedy from NE England is a British historian, the author of The Rise and Fall of the Great Powers.
Mary Kennedy is one of the leading personalities on Irish TV.

Select Kennedys Today
  • 49,000 in the UK (most numerous in London)
  • 56,000 in America (most numerous in Texas)
  • 88,000 elsewhere (most numerous in Canada)

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For other surnames check the companion selectsurname.com site where there are to be found the history and genealogy for more than 500 surnames. 

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