Last Name Kenner

The surname "Kenner" has multiple possible origins. 1. Scottish/Irish: In Scotland and Ireland, "Kenner" is believed to be a variant of the Gaelic surname "Mac an Fhionnaird" or "Mac Shinéir," meaning "son of the fair-haired one" or "son of Shindler." 2. German: "Kenner" can also have German roots, derived from the Middle Low German word "kennen," meaning "to know" or "to recognize." It could have been an occupational name for someone who had good knowledge or expertise in a specific field. 3. Jewish: Another possibility is that "Kenner" is a Jewish surname. In this case, it might come from the Yiddish word "kenner" or "kenig," meaning "connoisseur" or "expert." It could have been an occupational name for someone with specialized knowledge or skills. Given these various origins, it would be essential to delve deeper into specific family history and genealogy to determine the exact origin of the Kenner surname for any particular individual or family.

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Kenner

The Decennial U.S. Census data also provides insight into the ethnic identity associated with the Kenner surname. From 2000 to 2010, the number of individuals identifying as Asian/Pacific Islander and those reporting two or more races saw increases of 45.61% and 19.80%, respectively. The percentage of those identifying as White also increased slightly, going from 64.27% to 66.62%. Meanwhile, there was a notable surge in those identifying as Hispanic, with a growth rate of 103.15%. Conversely, the number of people identifying as Black and American Indian and Alaskan Native decreased by 13.57% and 11.11% respectively during this period.

	2000	2010	Change
White	64.27%	66.62%	3.66%
Black	31.33%	27.08%	-13.57%
Hispanic	1.27%	2.58%	103.15%
Two or More Races	2.02%	2.42%	19.8%
Asian/Pacific Islander	0.57%	0.83%	45.61%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.54%	0.48%	-11.11%

Kenner ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Kenner is British & Irish, which comprises 49.3% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are French & German (18.3%) and Nigerian (5.8%). Additional ancestries include Ashkenazi Jewish, Scandinavian, Ghanaian, Liberian & Sierra Leonean, Eastern European, and Spanish & Portuguese.

Ready to learn more about your ancestry? Get the most comprehensive ancestry breakdown on the market by taking our DNA test.

ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
British & Irish	49.3%
French & German	18.3%
Nigerian	5.8%
Other	26.6%

Your paternal lineage may be linked to the Cham

One of the many populations harboring members of haplogroup O1b1a1a1a1 is the Cham ethnic group, a group of people who speak Austronesian languages in Mainland Southeast Asia. Austronesian languages make up a language family that is extremely large and widespread, comprising over 350 million people on islands such as Madagascar, Easter Island, and many others. However, Austronesian languages are less common on mainland Asia, with a notable exception being the Chamic language. Research suggests that ancestors of the Cham people migrated from Southeast Asian islands to the mainland around the year 500 BCE, and that early Cham populations quickly began mixing with indigenous southern Vietnamese populations. As a result, the Chamic language now has words that were borrowed from languages spoken by indigenous Vietnamese people. It is likely that an ancestral Kinh population was one of the populations that mixed with the Cham people shortly after their migration to mainland Asia.

Your maternal lineage may be linked to Marie Antoinette

Because it is so dominant in the general European population, haplogroup H also appears quite frequently in the continent's royal houses. Marie Antoinette, an Austrian Hapsburg who married into the French royal family, inherited the haplogroup from her maternal ancestors. So did Prince Philip, Duke of Edinburgh, whose recorded genealogy traces his female line to Bavaria. Scientists also discovered that famed 16th century astronomer Nicolaus Copernicus traced his maternal lineages to haplogroup H.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Kenner

The meaning and origin of the last name Kenner

The surname Kenner is of English and Scottish origin. It derives from the Middle English word "kenner," meaning "knower" or "cognizant." The name is an occupational surname, typically given to someone who was knowledgeable or skilled in a particular field. It may have been applied to individuals recognized for their expertise in a certain trade, such as a blacksmith, carpenter, or tailor. Alternatively, it could have referred to someone known for their wisdom, possessing a deep understanding or familiarity with a specific subject. The Kenner surname likely originated during medieval times when occupational names became more prevalent. Over time, the name has evolved, and variations of the surname, such as Kennar, Kanner, and Kennard, have emerged. Today, there are numerous individuals with the Kenner surname scattered across the English-speaking world, carrying on the legacy of their ancestors' expertise and knowledge.

Geographical distribution of the last name Kenner

The surname Kenner is not very common and its distribution is somewhat diverse. The name is of Scottish origin and is believed to derive from the Gaelic word "Ceannair," meaning leader or chieftain. Today, individuals with the last name Kenner can be found predominantly in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. In the United States, the name seems to be most prevalent in states like Louisiana, Texas, and California. This could potentially be due to migration patterns or historical factors. In Canada, Kenner appears to be more commonly found in provinces like Ontario and British Columbia. In the United Kingdom, the name is scattered across various regions but has a notable presence in Scotland, indicating its Scottish roots. Overall, the geographical distribution of the surname Kenner is relatively dispersed, reflecting its origin and its migration over time.

Variants and spellings of the last name Kenner

The last name Kenner may have several variations and spellings. Some alternative spellings include Kennar, Kenar, Kennerly, and Kener. These variations might occur due to changes in pronunciation or regional accents, or they could be the result of clerical errors during record-keeping. Additionally, different branches of a family may have chosen to spell the name differently over time. Family names often evolve as they are passed down through generations, and individuals may alter the spelling to suit their personal preferences or to differentiate themselves from other relatives. Moreover, cultural and linguistic influences can contribute to further variations, especially when the name is adopted by people from diverse backgrounds. Therefore, it is not uncommon to come across individuals with last names representing different spellings and variations of Kenner.

Famous people with the last name Kenner

While Kenner may not be an overly common last name, there are some notable individuals who have carried this surname. One prominent figure in the world of entertainment is Stan Lee Kenner, an American comic book writer, editor, publisher, and producer. Stan Lee revolutionized the comic book industry through his co-creations of iconic characters like Spider-Man, Iron Man, Thor, and the X-Men. His imaginative storytelling and vibrant artwork continue to inspire and captivate audiences worldwide. Additionally, Daniel Kenner gained recognition as an accomplished actor and playwright. Known for his work in theater, Daniel has written and performed in various productions, garnering critical acclaim for his emotional range and theatrical prowess. These famous individuals with the last name Kenner have left lasting impacts in their respective fields, showcasing their talent and dedication to their craft.

Genealogical research on the last name Kenner

The last name Kenner has deep historical roots and can be traced back to various origins. One possible origin is Scottish, where it is derived from the Gaelic name MacCoinnich, meaning "son of Coinneach." Another theory suggests that Kenner could also be an Americanized or Anglicized version of the German and Dutch surname König or Konner. This name signifies "king" or someone from a royal lineage. Additionally, Kenner could be an occupational surname derived from the Middle English word "kennere," meaning "one who makes or sells candles." Over time, variations of the name spread across different countries, resulting in different spellings like Kanner or Kennar. Genealogical research on the last name Kenner would require exploring various historical records, such as census data, birth and marriage registers, and immigration records, to establish specific family lineages and determine the unique origins and branches of this name.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Kenner"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 April 2025

Share the origin of your last name with your friends