Surname Kinneally - Meaning and Origin
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Kinneally: What does the surname Kinneally mean?
The last name Kinneally is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name Ó Cinnfhaelaigh, which is derived from the Irish word “ceann” meaning “head” or “chief” and “faelaigh” meaning “noble” or “prosperous”. The name is thus related to the Irish word for “chieftain”, which is a term used to describe the leader of a smaller group or clan. It is likely that those bearing the surname descended from a prominent Irish clan, with the name becoming Anglicized as it spread across the United Kingdom, America, and beyond.
The Kinneally clan is believed to have descended from a line of descendants of Conn of the Hundred Battles, the legendary king of Ireland in the second century. The family is mainly found around counties Carlow and Cork in Ireland. They were renowned warriors and many notable members were prominent during the 17th and 18th century. They produced many prominent soldiers, including Major Thomas Kinneally who fought in the American Revolutionary War in 1777.
The Irish surname Kinneally is a proud reminder of the noble roots of those who it belongs to, and it continues to represent a proud, honorable, and noble heritage to those who still bear it today.
Order DNA origin analysisKinneally: Where does the name Kinneally come from?
The last name Kinneally is most commonly associated with Ireland. It is of Gaelic origin and generally considered a variant of the more common Irish surname Keneally. The surname is found mainly in County Cork and surrounding areas of Southern Ireland, but can also be found in areas of Northern and Western Ireland as well as in parts of the United Kingdom.
Traditionally, those with the last name Kinneally are descended from the ancient Corca Laoidhe dynasty. The Irish surname has been around since at least the 13th century. In the 1880's census of Ireland, over 1,000 people bore the name Kinneally. Those with the surname were mainly concentrated in County Cork, where they made up 1 in every 110 people.
Today, the surname Kinneally still has its roots in Ireland, but can now be found in many other countries around the world, including the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia, and even New Zealand. According to the 2018 US Census, there were over 200 people with the surname Kinneally living in the United States. The name is still commonly seen in areas of Ireland, though the numbers have decreased over the years.
The Kinneally surname is still fairly common in its original homeland of Ireland. Certain variations of the name can also be found throughout the world, as its descendants have continued to migrate, helping to form a global Kinneally community.
Variations of the surname Kinneally
Kinneally is an Irish surname originating from the Gaelic O Ceinnealláin, derived from "ceann ’allaidh”, which translates to "chief of the alder wood". It is found mostly in County Cork in Munster and is one of the 40 most common surnames in Ireland.
Variants of Kinneally include Kinnealy, Kinnally, Kinsella, and Kinsel. Spellings that appear in records include Kinealy, Kinelly, and Kinely.
Surnames of similar origin include Kinneen, Kinneen-O’Connor, O’Kinneally, and O’Kinneen, which could be derived from Ceinnealláin. Alternate spellings for this surname include Keneally, Kenealy, Kenally, Kenerly, Kenerly, Kenealy, Kennally, Kennelly, Kennally, Kennedy, and Kennally-Connolly. All of these surnames are likely derived from Ceinnealláin or variations of it.
Another variant of the surname is Mac Einnealláin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Cinnealláin. The literal translation is "son of Ceinnealláin". Variations of this form include MacKeineally, Mackeneally, and MacKineley.
The Kinneally surname is also found in other countries with Irish emigrants, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.Variants of the surname in these countries could include Kennally, Kennelly, and Kinnely. All of these names, however, are likely derived from the original name Ceinnealláin.
Famous people with the name Kinneally
- Megan Kinneally: Musician/Singer-Songwriter
- Tommy Kinneally: Irish Politician
- Dave Kinneally: American Sportscaster
- A. L. Kinneally: Irish Author/Editor
- Justin Kinneally: Australian Football Player
- Gary Kinneally: Irish Politician
- Nollag Kinneally: Irish Author/Writer
- George Kinneally: British-American Politician
- Molly Kinneally: Irish Author
- Peter Kinneally: Irish Politician