NameCensus.

UK surname

Kenneth

An English surname derived from the Celtic "Cionaodh" meaning handsome or comely.

In the 1881 census there were 123 people recorded with the Kenneth surname, ranking it #17,506 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 291, ranked #15,062, up from #17,506 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to London parishes, Govan Combination and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Southwark, Fintry and Douglas East.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kenneth is 339 in 1998. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 136.6%.

1881 census count

123

Ranked #17,506

Modern count

291

2016, ranked #15,062

Peak year

1998

339 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kenneth had 123 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #17,506 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 291 in 2016, ranked #15,062.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 330 in 1861.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations.

Kenneth surname distribution map

The map shows where the Kenneth surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Kenneth surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kenneth over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 127 #14,547
1861 historical 330 #7,721
1881 historical 123 #17,506
1891 historical 233 #13,392
1901 historical 198 #15,213
1911 historical 305 #11,307
1997 modern 315 #13,111
1998 modern 339 #12,810
1999 modern 331 #13,106
2000 modern 278 #14,659
2001 modern 246 #15,684
2002 modern 255 #15,599
2003 modern 253 #15,493
2004 modern 227 #16,778
2005 modern 230 #16,583
2006 modern 235 #16,439
2007 modern 243 #16,243
2008 modern 239 #16,583
2009 modern 242 #16,789
2010 modern 258 #16,432
2011 modern 266 #15,937
2012 modern 288 #14,934
2013 modern 284 #15,358
2014 modern 300 #14,839
2015 modern 298 #14,832
2016 modern 291 #15,062

Geography

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Where Kenneths are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around London parishes, Govan Combination, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Glasgow. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Southwark, Fintry, Douglas East, Douglas West and Staffordshire Moorlands. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 London parishes London 3
2 Govan Combination Lanark
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Glasgow Lanark

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Southwark 029 Southwark
2 Fintry Dundee City
3 Douglas East Dundee City
4 Douglas West Dundee City
5 Staffordshire Moorlands 005 Staffordshire Moorlands

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kenneth

These lists show first names that appear often with the Kenneth surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kenneth

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kenneth, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities

Group

Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations

Nationally, the Kenneth surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ethnically Diverse Families in Less Connected Locations, within Low-Skilled Migrant and Student Communities. This does not mean every Kenneth household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group is often found in less central parts of London and other major towns and cities. Adults are more likely than the Supergroup average to have never been married and are typically aged less than 45 years. Many have young dependent children and individuals may have been born in Africa. There are many members identifying with a Black ethnic group, with the other ethnic groups (as listed in the glossary) also represented, though Chinese less so. Accommodation in flats, frequently socially rented, is common in these neighbourhoods. Part time employment is also common, and work is often in elementary occupations, while unemployment is also the highest within this Supergroup.

Wider pattern

Young adults, many of whom are students, predominate in these high-density and overcrowded neighbourhoods of rented terrace houses or flats. Most ethnic minorities are present in these communities, as are people born in European countries that are not part of the EU. Students aside, low skilled occupations predominate, and unemployment rates are above average. Overall, the mix of students and more sedentary households means that neighbourhood average numbers of children are not very high. The Mixed or Multiple ethnic group composition of neighbourhoods is often associated with low rates of affiliation to Christian religions. This Supergroup predominates in non-central urban locations the UK, particularly within England in the Midlands and the outskirts of west, south and north-east London.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers

Within London, Kenneth is most associated with areas classed as Social Rented Sector Professional Support Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Mainly located in Inner London, these neighbourhoods retain a diverse employment structure, with some concentration in associated professional and technical occupations rather than skilled trades or construction. Social renting is more common and levels of homeownership are low. Many residents identify as Black. There is a lower than average rate of marriage or civil partnership, few that are very old (85 or over) and higher than average incidence of disability.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kenneth is most concentrated in decile 10 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

10
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kenneth falls in decile 2 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the more deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

2
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kenneth is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 50-60 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

8
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
Other Ethnic Group

This describes the area pattern most associated with Kenneth, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kenneth

The surname Kenneth has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the medieval period. It is derived from the Gaelic words "Cain" (chief) and "Necht" (born), together meaning "born of the leader" or "chief's son." The name was initially a personal name given to those born of noble or prominent families.

The earliest recorded instances of the surname Kenneth can be traced back to the 12th century, with mentions found in various Scottish charters and historical documents. One notable early bearer of the name was Kenneth mac Alpin, who reigned as the King of Scots from 843 to 858 AD and is considered the first king of a united Scotland.

The surname Kenneth has been found in various spellings throughout history, including Kennethe, Kennethie, and Kennethy. These variations were common due to the lack of standardized spelling practices in earlier times. Additionally, the name has been associated with several place names, such as Kennethmont in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, which likely derived from the surname.

Notable historical figures bearing the surname Kenneth include:

1. Kenneth III (997-1005), King of Scots from 997 until his death in 1005. 2. John Kenneth (c. 1420-c. 1480), a Scottish diplomat and Bishop of Ross in the 15th century. 3. Thomas Kenneth (c. 1600-1667), a Scottish clergyman and author of the 17th century. 4. Sir William Kenneth (1720-1780), a Scottish naval officer who served in the Royal Navy during the 18th century. 5. James Kenneth (1784-1858), a Scottish painter known for his landscapes and portraits.

Over time, the surname Kenneth has spread beyond Scotland to various parts of the world, including England, Ireland, and North America, where it was carried by Scottish immigrants and their descendants. While its origins can be traced back to the medieval Scottish nobility, the surname Kenneth has become a part of the diverse tapestry of names found across different cultures and regions.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kenneth families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kenneth surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Angus leads with 27 Kenneths recorded in 1881 and an index of 24.49x.

County Total Index
Angus 27 24.49x
Lanarkshire 27 7.02x
Middlesex 17 1.43x
Ayrshire 16 17.97x
Midlothian 14 8.78x
Surrey 9 1.55x
Kent 5 1.23x
Hampshire 2 0.82x
Renfrewshire 2 2.17x
Perthshire 1 1.87x
Sussex 1 0.50x
Yorkshire 1 0.08x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dundee in Angus leads with 26 Kenneths recorded in 1881 and an index of 63.18x.

Place Total Index
Dundee 26 63.18x
Kilwinning 15 520.83x
Govan 10 10.51x
Bothwell 9 86.21x
Battersea 8 18.27x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 7 10.92x
Glasgow 7 10.24x
Dalkeith 4 127.39x
Hackney London 4 6.00x
Kensington London 4 6.05x
St Pancras London 4 4.18x
Edinburgh Buccleuch 3 79.58x
Islington London 3 2.60x
Bishopsbourne 2 1428.57x
Paddington London 2 4.57x
Paisley Middle Church 2 37.24x
South Hayling 2 465.12x
Westwell 2 487.80x
Brechin 1 23.09x
Camberwell 1 1.32x
Faversham 1 25.84x
Hamilton 1 9.32x
Hastings St Mary 1 20.04x
Irvine 1 40.49x
Leeds 1 1.50x
Perth St Pauls 1 80.65x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kenneth surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 3
Alice 2
Fanny 2
Ann 1
Annie 1
Betsy 1
Edith 1
Elizabeth 1
Elsie 1
H. 1
Hannah 1
Helen 1
Jenny 1
Maria 1
Sophia 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Kenneth surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Thomas 3
Benjamin 2
Charles 2
Alfred 1
George 1
Henry 1
Herbert 1
J. 1
James 1
Robert 1
William 1

Top occupations

Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Kenneth households.

FAQ

Kenneth surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kenneth surname in 1881?

In 1881, 123 people were recorded with the Kenneth surname. That placed it at #17,506 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kenneth surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 291 in 2016. That gives Kenneth a modern rank of #15,062.

What does the Kenneth surname mean?

An English surname derived from the Celtic "Cionaodh" meaning handsome or comely.

What does the Kenneth map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kenneth bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.