Surname Kendill - Meaning and Origin

Kendill: What does the surname Kendill mean?

Kendill is a surname with unknown origin. It is believed to be of Scots-Irish and English descent. It is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the Midwest and South.

This unique surname has several possible meanings. Some experts believe it is derived from the Gaelic word ‘ceann’ which means ‘head’ or ‘chief’. This suggests the person who held this name and/or their ancestors may have belonged to a clan or other powerful family.

Some scholars believe Kendill may be derived from the Anglo-Saxon word ‘kyndel’ which means a ‘candle maker’. This suggests the person who held this name and/or their ancestors may have been a craftsman in the candle-making trade.

It is also possible the Kendill name is derived from the old Norman French word ‘clein’ which means ‘small’. This could indicate the person who held this name and/or their ancestors may have been tiny in stature.

Regardless of its origin, Kendill is undoubtedly an uncommon name and a source of pride for those who carry it. Its holders can take comfort in its mystery and admire the unique history their name offers.

Kendill: Where does the name Kendill come from?

The surname Kendill is not well-documented, making it quite unusual and unique. Its roots and origin are unclear due to its rarity. Some online genealogical resources suggest that Kendill could potentially be variant of Kendall, a locational surname deriving from towns of that name in Cumbria and Westmoreland, England. The name Kendall in turn means "valley of the River Kent" and it originally belonged to those who resided in or came from that area.

With regard to its current distribution, without specific census data, it's difficult to ascertain exactly where Kendill is most common today. However, many websites that track surnames suggest its bearers are scattered diversely and it's not concentrated or notably prevalent in any specific region. A person with this last name could potentially live anywhere, with a slightly higher possibility in English-speaking countries due to its likely derivation from Kendall. Please note that due to the rarity of the surname, this information might not be entirely accurate, the origin and prevalence of the Kendill surname might need further research.

Variations of the surname Kendill

The surname Kendill might have various variants and spellings depending on the geographic region and cultures it got associated with over the generations. Some potential variants, spellings, or surnames of the same origin could include Kendall, Kendal, Kendell, Kendale, Kendle, Kendel, Kendyl, or Kindell.

Given the English origins, 'Kendall' might be the most standard spelling for the surname. The name could have originated from a place name in England, specifically from the town of Kendal in Cumbria. The city name is believed to have evolved by combining the Old Norse 'keld' meaning ‘spring’, with 'dalr' meaning 'valley'. Therefore, those surnames can be seen as English locational surnames.

As with many surnames that date back centuries, regional accents and differing spellings could have given rise to several variations of the original surname. As a result, Kendill and its variants could have branched out into these multiple forms, all referring back to the same original lineage or geographic origin.

Famous people with the name Kendill

• Kendall Jenner: An American TV personality, model, and businesswoman.
• Sarah Kendill: An Australian Actress and former model, best known for her roles in the TV series All Saints and the feature-length spin-off film, All Saints: The Book of Survivors.
• Sebastian Kendill: An Indonesian actor and singer, best known for his role in the 2009 film 'Eat Pray Love' and for his album 'Beautiful Tragedies'.
• Alan Kendill: An actor and scriptwriter born in England, writer of British TV shows such as 'Dad, This is Not Normal' and 'Keywords: A Personal Journey'.
• Kim Kendill: British actress most famously known for her roles in the Harry Potter movies.
• Jake Kendall: An American actor who has been in a number of television shows and movies such as 'Bombshell' and 'The Belko Experiment'.
• Grant Kendill: British actor and singer, best known for his roles in 'Gangster No.1' and 'Shape of Water'.
• Wesley Kendill: An Emmy award-winning actor, director, and writer; best known for his role as Spock in the new Star Trek movie.
• John Kendill: A British author and journalist, known for his work in The Guardian, Observer, and London Review of Books.
• Jenny Kendill: An American architect and urban planner, known for her work on a number of projects in cities across the United States.

Other surnames

KendigKendillon