Surname Kinnirey - Meaning and Origin

Kinnirey: What does the surname Kinnirey mean?

The last name Kinnirey is of Scottish origin. It is primarily used as a patronymic surname for a son of Gilbert or as a nickname for a person with a smiling face.

The earliest recorded spelling of the name includes references to Gilbride, Gilbryd, Kilbreth, and Kilbrethyn in the 13th century. Kinnirey is thought to be a derivative of these, with ‘ay’ being a common Scottish ending.

The meaning of Kinnirey is not definite, but it is believed to be derived from the Scots-Gaelic words ‘kin’ meaning ‘family’ and ‘rey’ meaning ‘king’. This would make the meaning of the name to be ‘family of the king’. Alternatively, ‘kin’ could be derived from ‘giobrach’ meaning ‘smiling’, and ‘rey’ from ‘ruadh’ meaning ‘red’. This would make the literal meaning of Kinnirey ‘red-faced smiling one’, suggesting its use as a nickname.

Kinnirey/Kinnorry/Kynerry families can be traced right back to the mid-14th century in Scotland, so you can be sure to have a long and proud family history. One of the first known records of the name was of a Gilbert Kynerry in Edinburgh in the year 1575.

The surname is still quite uncommon today, with the majority of those who bear it being native Scots. Despite its rarity, the name has a strong presence in the Scottish Highlands and is sure to remain an important part of its colorful history for many generations to come.

Kinnirey: Where does the name Kinnirey come from?

The last name Kinnirey is most common in areas with strong Irish connections, such as the Republic of Ireland, Canada, England, Scotland, and the United States. In Ireland, it is most commonly seen in Dublin, Cork, Waterford, and Galway. In Canada, it is most commonly seen in Montreal, Toronto, Ottawa, and the provinces of Quebec and Ontario. In England, it is most commonly seen in London, Manchester, and Birmingham, while in Scotland it is most commonly seen in Glasgow and Edinburgh. In the United States, it is most commonly seen in New York, Chicago, Los Angeles, San Francisco, Boston, and Philadelphia.

The meaning and origin of the name Kinnirey is unclear, although it has appeared in various variations such as Cenire, Quennire, and Quenary. It is thought to be of Irish origin, perhaps derived from the Irish Mac Cuinn ni Raith, meaning ‘son of Cunn Raith’. Some sources suggest it could be of Norse origin, derived from ‘kuningr’ or king, indicating a link with royalty.

The name has been found in various marriage records from the 17th and 18th centuries in Ireland and England, as well as in church baptisms. This suggests that the family was present in the area for some time before it received more widespread recognition.

With the influx of Irish immigrants in the 19th and early 20th centuries, the family name Kinnirey can now be found in various parts of the world, particularly in countries with strong Irish heritage.

Variations of the surname Kinnirey

Kinnirey is an old Irish surname believed to have derived from the Gaelic name 'O Cionnraoi'. In Ireland, it is an uncommon surname, most often found in the area around the southern county of Limerick. However, it is mainly found in England, where it has been established since 17th century immigration from Ireland. It has a variety of spellings, including Kennirye, Kinnery, Kinry, Kinrye, Cunry, Cunrye, Conry and Conrye, all of which have the same origin.

The name Kinnirey is sometimes confused with the more common Welsh surname, Kinnery. However, there is no connection between the two, and they have different origins and etymologies. The Welsh name is believed to have derived from 'olyn', meaning 'eminent', and 'cynreith', meaning 'lordly'.

Variants of the Irish surname Kinnirey can sometimes be found in Continental Europe, especially in French-speaking countries such as France, Luxembourg and the region of Wallonia in Belgium. The variants Conaire, Conairey, Conrye, and Kinnery have all been used historically in these countries.

The surname Kinnirey may also appear as a double-barreled surname, in combination with other surnames such as Lake or Moore. Similarly, versions of the name such as Keane and Kearney – both of which have the same Irish origin – are often used as alternatives.

Famous people with the name Kinnirey

• John Kinnirey: Professional Basketball Player
• Mike Kinnirey: Football Player
• Craig Kinnirey: Football Player
• Ryan Kinnirey: Baseball Player
• Robert Kinnirey: Disc Jockey
• Mark Kinnirey: Musician
• Frank Kinnirey: Country Singer
• Rhonda Kinnirey: Entertainer
• Chris Kinnirey: Actor
• Paul Kinnirey: Designer
• Ryan Kinnirey: Humorist
• Jessica Kinnirey: Television Producer
• Michael Kinnirey: Model
• Tom Kinnirey: Television Reporter
• Andy Kinnirey: Standup Comic
• Melissa Kinnirey: Radio Host
• Debbie Kinnirey: Musician
• Billy Kinnirey: Author
• Scott Kinnirey: Comedian
• Steven Kinnirey: Film Producer

Other surnames

Kinniry