Surname Kilkenny - Meaning and Origin

Kilkenny: What does the surname Kilkenny mean?

The last name Kilkenny is of Irish origin and it is predominantly used in Ireland. The name is topographical, derived from the County Kilkenny in Ireland. The county's name in Irish is "Cill Chainnigh", which means "Church of Canice", in reference to Saint Canice who established an early monastic settlement there. Therefore, the surname Kilkenny could signify a familial connection to that area or simply denote a geographical origin from County Kilkenny. It could also reflect a historical or ancestral association with Saint Canice's monastery. It's important to note that surnames can have varying interpretations and meanings may also change over time or across different regions. In essence, the surname Kilkenny signifies Irish heritage.

Kilkenny: Where does the name Kilkenny come from?

The surname Kilkenny originates from Ireland. It is derived from the Irish "Cill Chainnigh," which translates as the Church of St. Canice, also known as Kilkenny. The city of Kilkenny, one of Ireland's oldest towns, is named after this church.

In the medieval era, people often adopted their place of residence or origin as their surname, hence those originally from this town would have become known as Kilkenny.

Today, the surname Kilkenny, while not overly common, can be found predominantly in countries where Irish emigrants have settled. This includes countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Nonetheless, it remains most common in its country of origin, Ireland.

Variations of the surname Kilkenny

The surname Kilkenny is of Irish origin and is derived from the Irish place name 'Cill Chainnigh', which means 'Church of Canice'. Variations and spellings for Kilkenny could include Killkeny, Kilkkeny, Kilkennie, Kilkenny, Kilkinney, Kilkannie, Kilkaney, Kilckenny, Kilkenni, Kilcanny, and Kilkainy.

These variations may contain minor changes due to the different dialects, spellings, or pronunciation in different regions. Furthermore, surnames could have changed over time due to clerical errors in official documents or an intentional change by the family to adapt to a new location or language.

Surnames of the same origin could include O'Cillchainnigh, O’Kenneday, O'Kinneide, O'Cionnfhaolaidh, O’Kennedy, and O’Kennelly. These are more extended and elaborate versions of the surname, incorporating Irish language structures such as the prefix ‘O’ meaning 'descendant of'. These surnames also share a common origin in Ireland, underlining the influence of Irish Gaelic language and history.

Please note however, accurate tracing of a surname's lineage may require professional genealogical research.

Famous people with the name Kilkenny

• Nikki Kilkenny: Irish sportswoman
• Mickey Kilkenny: American baseball player
• Cy Kilkenny: American professional golfer
• Pūkana Kilkenny: New Zealand rugby union player
• Brigid Kilkenny: Irish architect and artist
• Martha Kilkenny: American poet
• Sinead Kilkenny: Irish television presenter
• Jeff Kilkenny: American professional wrestler
• Bobby Kilkenny: American basketball player
• Bronagh Kilkenny: American actress, writer and producer

Other surnames

Kilkenney