Surname Kinniff - Meaning and Origin
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Kinniff: What does the surname Kinniff mean?
The last name Kinniff is of English origin, and has several possible meanings and origins. One possible meaning is derived from an English word meaning “unknown” or “unclear”. It is thought that the name was initially used as an identifier for someone who had an uncertain or unknown identity, and the name may have also indicated a foreign origin or affiliation. In addition to this, it is believed to be derived from a pre-medieval English word “Cinif”, which is related to “Cynne” or “Kyne,” an Old English term meaning “royal one” or “nobleman”. It is possible, though not certain, that the bearer of the surname in this case was a nobleman in the past.
The term “Kinniff” is also believed to derive from the Gaelic term “coinnich”, meaning “worthy” or “valuable”, and is thought to refer to someone who was held in high regard or of great value in their society. In this case, the surname could be an indication of an ancestor’s great status or importance.
Finally, it is also believed to be a variation of the Irish surname “Kinnef”, which means “chief” or “leader”. In this case, the surname could indicate a powerful or well-respected ancestor.
It is possible that the surname could have several origins, and further research may yet uncover its true meaning. Regardless, the surname Kinniff has an interesting and mysterious past.
Order DNA origin analysisKinniff: Where does the name Kinniff come from?
The Kinniff surname is present in many countries around the world today, but its origins are most commonly traced back to England.
The earliest occurrences of the surname are found in middlesex, Surrey, and Yorkshire, with the first record of the name appearing in a court document from 1214. This document lists a man named Roger as the last name of de Kinneff.
From there, the Kinniff surname moved north of the border to Scotland and can be found records throughout the 19th century. The highest concentration of the name is currently found in the region of Edinburgh.
The Kinniff name is also present in the United States, particularly in New York and Pennsylvania. The first record of a Kinniff in the United States comes from 1720 in Pennsylvania, where a Captain Kinniff served as the sheriff of Westmoreland County.
In addition, the Kinniff name can also be found in Canada and Australia, and also in small numbers throughout Europe.
Overall, the surname Kinniff is dispersed geographically and found across many countries throughout the world. Although tracing the origin of the name back to the middle ages in England is possible, many Kinniff families have since moved and settled in a variety of countries throughout the world.
Variations of the surname Kinniff
The surname Kinniff is derived from the Old Gaelic name Kinneef which meant “of the head” or “noble head.” It is an Irish surname, found mainly in Counties Cork and Kerry.
The variants of the surname Kinniff include Kinnief, Kinniffe, Kinnif, Kneef, Kneiff, Kneiffe, Knyff, Knyffe, Cunnyffe, Cuniff, Cyniffe, and Kyniffe. Other related spellings include Cuiniffe, Cunniffe, Keeniff, Kieniff, Kieniffe, Kynif, and Kinnef.
The surnames of the same origin for the surname Kinniff include Mac Cabhain, Canny, Mac Canny, Mc Cann, Cahan, Kearney, Mac Cearnaigh, O Kinneif, MacKeniffe, Kynnefe, Kinife, and Kinniffegh.
The surname Kinniff is often confused with other Gaelic surnames such as Ginn, Kinnay, and Kinnair. However, the variants and spellings of the Kinniff surname are unique and are reflective of the Irish culture and its past.
Famous people with the name Kinniff
- Amy Kinniff: Amy Kinniff is a professional hockey player and regular on the US Women’s National Hockey Team. She was born in Minnesota and currently plays her club hockey for the Minnesota Whitecaps.
- Jon Kinniff: Jon Kinniff is an award-winning cinematographer. He has worked as a camera operator on several Hollywood films and television shows, including the Netflix series Daredevil and The Biggest Little Farm.
- Eileen Kinniff: Eileen Kinniff is a musician and songwriter. She released her debut album in 2018 and has since won several awards.
- Joanne Kinniff: Joanne Kinniff is a British author and an ambassador for mental health awareness. She has written several books about her experiences with depression, anxiety, and other mental health issues.
- Rose Kinniff: Rose Kinniff is a young American singer-songwriter. She released her self-titled debut EP at only 15 years old and has since become a popular artist in the indie-folk music scene.
- Dennis Kinniff: Dennis Kinniff is a British entrepreneur and the founder of several successful technology startups. He is an active supporter of the startup and entrepreneur community in his hometown of Manchester.