Surname Kinnersley - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kinnersley: What does the surname Kinnersley mean?
The surname Kinnersley is of English origin and can be traced back to Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It is believed to be a locational surname, derived from a place name. The components of the name suggest it could mean "Cyneheard's clearing or meadow," from the Old English personal name 'Cyneheard' and 'leah', a term for a clearing or meadow. There are places named Kinnersley in Herefordshire and Shropshire, England, which are likely the areas from where families with this surname originated. It was common in medieval times to take one's surname from the location they lived or held land. Like many surnames, variations in the spelling of Kinnersley over centuries can include Kynnersley, Kinnerley, Kynersley, and Kennerley. As a geographical surname, tracing the exact origin and meaning can be difficult due to changes in boundaries, landscapes, and language over time. It is most crucial to bear in mind that surnames provide a connection to family lineage and ancestral roots.
Order DNA origin analysisKinnersley: Where does the name Kinnersley come from?
The surname Kinnersley is of English origin. It is derived from a place name in Herefordshire, England named "Kinnersley". Traditionally, surnames often derived from the locations where families resided. The place name Kinnersley itself is thought to be formed from an Old English personal name, Cyneric, and the suffix ‘-lēah’ meaning 'woodland clearing'; thus, it translates to the clearing of a man named Cyneric.
Today, the surname Kinnersley, with its variations, can be found in different parts of the world due to the migration of people over centuries. However, it is mostly found in Great Britain, along with places where British people have migrated to over centuries, particularly nations that share their English heritage, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Even today, the Kinnersley surname is still quite rare outside of these regions.
Variations of the surname Kinnersley
The surname Kinnersley is quite unique and possesses limited known variants or alternate spellings. However, some possible variants can be Kennerley, Kennerly, Kenersley, or even Kinnerly, which use similar phonetics. The way a name is spelled might be influenced by linguistic characteristics and historical influences of the region, therefore the exact same name may appear differently in different cultures or regions.
Furthermore, some names which might be linked to Kinnersley or share common origins due to linguistic or regional similarities might include names like Kingsley or Kinsley. Another similar surname could be Kenner as it retains the first two syllables and the 'ner' ending.
Nevertheless, it's important to conduct comprehensive genealogical research to ascertain these variations accurately since surname origins can be quite complex, intertwining linguistic, regional, and historical factors. The origins of the Kinnersley surname are believed to be Anglo-Saxon, and it's supposed that it originated from a place name, specifically from an old manor house named 'Kinnersley' located in Herefordshire, England.
Famous people with the name Kinnersley
- Elizabeth Kinnersley: English poet, author, speaker, and patron of the arts.
- Colin Kinnersley: English actor, director, and composer.
- William Kinnersley: 18th-century English dramatist and theatre manager.
- Marjorie Kinnersley: English prolific novelist and short story writer.
- Nat Kinnersley: English professional golfer.
- Major Edmund Kinnersley: English army Major who won a Victoria Cross.
- Joe Kinnersley: British soldier in World War I, who was awarded the Military Medal.
- Andrew Kinnersley: English first-class cricketer who played for Yorkshire County Cricket Club.
- Richard Kinnersley: Irish Anglican weighed in Edinburgh in 1788.
- Brigadier Frederick Edmund Kinnersley: British soldier who was Mentioned in Despatches during World War II.