Meaning of Kennedy

Meaning of the surname Kennedy:(Scottish) This name comes from the old Irish Gaelic, 'cinneidigh', literally meaning 'ugly headed'.

Origin of the Surname:  They claimed descent from the Earls of Carrick and kinship to the Bruce family, whom they supported against the Comyns and throughout the War of Independence.
 John Kennedy of Dunure acquired lands at Cassillis about 1360, and witnessed a charter by Robert II in 1384. His son, Sir Gilbert, was one of the hostages for the release of David II by the English in 1357. Gilbert's son, James, married Princess Mary, second daughter of Robert III. Their son, another Gilbert, was created Lord Kennedy in about 1457 and was one of the six regents during the minority of James III. A brother of the first Lord Kennedy, James Kennedy, was one of Scotland's best-loved bishops. He served briefly as High Chancellor of Scotland and was Bishop of Dunkeld, and later Archbishop of St. Andrews. At St. Andrews he founded St. Salvator's College in 1455.


The exact derivation of 'Kennedy' has been disputed by Irish scholars, but a definative definition was made by the Irish Genealogical Office in preparing a Kennedy coat-of-arms for presentation to the late President on the occasion of his visit to Ireland in 1963. The Irish genealogists made special note of the three helmets in the traditional Kennedy insignia. 'The helmets are a play on the original Gaelic surname O'Cinneide which is interpreted as 'helmet-headed' '.(Brennan:1968) .... A different version of the origin of the name Kennedy is provided by Gleeson (1916) who says the Irish word Cineadh means nation. (Note: In Scotland where another, quite distinct, Kennedy family evolved, the interpretation of the Gaelic name has been accepted as 'ugly-headed'.(Brennan:1968)"
 
 


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