Surname Kenwood - Meaning and Origin

Kenwood: What does the surname Kenwood mean?

The last name Kenwood is of Anglo-Saxon origin, deriving from Old English word 'cynen' which translates to 'royal'. It could have referred to someone of royal ancestry or to a person working in the service of the monarch. As a surname, Kenwood suggests a person of noble status who was given land, often with a 'wood' as part of the name; Kenwood can also refer to someone who lived near a wood on land owned by the monarchy.

In some cases, the surname could be associated with a place of origin. The Old English word ‘wudu’ could refer to a compound of houses, a village or a settlement in which the residents shared a commoner’s surname; Kenwood could be one such example.

The surname was recorded for the first time in the 13th century, and records suggest it was a fairly uncommon last name in Britain during that time; there are, however, references to Kenwood families from 1296. Some of the more famous bearers of the name include English poet and novelist Sir John Godfrey Kenwood, American actor and director Arthur Kenwood and British novelist Anthony Kenwood.

Overall, Kenwood suggests a sense of prestige and is likely associated with a long-standing background of aristocratic heritage.

Kenwood: Where does the name Kenwood come from?

The last name Kenwood is commonly found in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, South Africa, and other English-speaking countries. According to the U.S. Census Bureau, the Kenwood surname is most prevalent in the United States, where it is ranked around #949 in terms of popularity, with around 0.011% of the population having the Kenwood surname. In other English-speaking countries such as the UK, Canada, and Australia, the surname is also relatively common, with the Australian Electoral Commission ranking the name at #5,251 as of 2018.

The origin of the Kenwood surname is uncertain, though many genealogists agree that it is likely of British and Irish origin. In particular, the name likely has a Celtic origin, derived from the Gaelic personal names Conchobhar or Ceann tSódáin (or both), which come from the Irish and Scottish Gaelic words “Ceann”, meaning “head”, and “tSódáin”, meaning “warrior”, respectively. In some cases, the surname may have also come from the British name Cynwrig, which means “royal mechanic”.

In some areas, the name Kenwood is more commonly seen in modified forms, such as Kenwood, Kenwode, Kenwod, and Kenwoode. There is also evidence to suggest that the surname may have been derived from the placename Kenwood in Scotland, which is noted in old records.

Overall, the last name Kenwood is quite common in many English-speaking countries today. Through its various regional variations, the name has been carried through the generations for centuries, and many Kenwood family lines can be traced back to its roots.

Variations of the surname Kenwood

The surname Kenwood is of English origin and is derived from the Old English given name Cwenwudu, which means ‘strong in battle’ and is the combination of two Old English elements: ‘cwen’ meaning ‘woman’ and ‘wudu’ meaning ‘wood’. The variants of this surname include Kennwood, Kenwod, Kenwude, Kempwood, Cenwood, and Kenswood.

The spellings of Kenwood vary from Kennwood, Kenwod, Kenwude, Kempwood, Cenwood and Kenswood.

The surnames of the same origin as Kenwood are Kempwood, Kennwood, Kirwood, Kenwoode, Kenwoody, Kenwud, Konwood and Konowed.

The association between men and trees is very old. Trees in the ancient world were thought to represent strength and stability; hence ‘wood’ was often used to denote strength. Kenwood may have been an occupational name for a woodcutter or woodworker in the Middle Ages.

Famous people with the name Kenwood

• Kirsty Kenwood: UK television presenter on shows such as Backchat, MTV News and Breakfast.
• Mark Kenwood: British comedian and actor from London, England.
• Gary Kenwood: British award-winning photographer, whose work has been published in major newspapers, magazines, and books.
• David Kenwood: British former badminton player, and one of the most successful British players in international tournaments.
• Sir William Kenwood: British engineer, inventor, and the founder of the Kenwood Corporation.
• Stephen Kenwood: British businessman, and former chairman and CEO of Laird Group plc.
• Colin Kenwood: British author and journalist who wrote for various publications throughout his career.
• Guy Kenwood: British actor and singer, best known for his role as Ollie in St. Trinian's.
• David Kenwood: British radio DJ, music producer, writer, and songwriter for BBC 6 Music.
• AJ Kenwood: British singer, rapper, songwriter, producer, and director from West London, England.

Other surnames

Kenworthy