Irish surname
Descendant of Cinneide
Clan or community name
Kennedy (Ó Cinnéide) means 'descendant of Cinnéidigh', a personal name meaning 'helmeted-head' or 'ugly-head'. The principal Kennedy family was based in County Tipperary and later in County Clare. A branch also became established in Scotland, where the name is associated with the earls of Cassillis.
The surname is common in both Ireland and Scotland and among their respective diasporas. The American branch of the family became especially prominent in the 20th century. The name remains one of the better-known Irish surnames.
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Descendant of Cinneide. Cinneide is usually glossed as "helmeted head", though some sources instead read it as "ugly head" - the exact meaning is disputed.
Kennedy is a Irish-origin surname. Popularity varies widely by country and region, and the same surname can be common in one place and rare in another.
Yes. Surnames, especially occupational and descriptive ones like this, were often adopted independently by many unrelated families who happened to share a trade, appearance, or location.
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