Kenny, also written Kenney, is a Gaelic name found across several parts of Ireland.
Where does the Kenny name come from?
Kenny is an anglicised form of the Gaelic Ó Cionaodha, “descendant of Cionaodh,” an old personal name understood to mean something like “born of fire.” Several distinct Gaelic families of the name arose independently, which is why Kenny is found in more than one region.
Kenny in Ireland
The name is associated particularly with Connacht — counties Galway and Roscommon — as well as parts of the midlands and Ulster. As an old Gaelic name, Kenny appears in several spellings, Kenney among them, and is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Kearns, Kearney, and Barry.
Carry the Kenny name with you
We craft heritage gifts for thousands of Irish and Scottish family names — woven blankets, mugs, ornaments and more. To find yours, type it into the search bar at the top of the page, or browse the Kenny collection here.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kenny an Irish surname?
Yes — Kenny is a Gaelic Irish surname, from Ó Cionaodha, found especially in Connacht and the midlands.
What does Kenny mean?
It means “descendant of Cionaodh,” a personal name understood as something like “born of fire.”
Is there a Kenny family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our Kenny products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.
