Origin of the Kennedy Surname
The Kennedy surname is of Unknown origin (Unknown). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #146 with 176,865 Americans (59.96 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Kennedy traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Kennedy |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #146 |
| US Count (2010) | 176,865 |
| Per 100K People | 59.96 |
| First Letter | K |
Ethnic Distribution of Kennedy
Among 176,865 Americans named Kennedy, the largest self-reported group is White (80.82%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Kennedy Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Kennedy moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Kennedy family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Kennedy Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Kennedy Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Kennedy
- ✓ The Kennedy coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Kennedy families live today
- ✓ Notable Kennedy bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Kennedy fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Kennedy
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Kennedy.
Other Unknown Surnames
Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Kennedy.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kennedy
Top Surnames Starting with K
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter K, ranked by population.
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