Map of Ireland showing where the Kenna arms are recorded
The Kenna arms were recorded in Monaghan, c. 1645.
Monaghan was drumlin country on the southern edge of Ulster. Old Irish families held it before the plantations and settlers after, and both sorts took arms as landowners.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the Kenna arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Monaghan.
Origin & History of the Kenna Family in Ireland
The family name Kenna originates from the Gaelic name Ó Cionnaith, which translates to descendant of Cionnaith. This name is deeply rooted in the history of Ireland, where family groups often organized themselves into clans tied to specific regions. By the year 1645, records confirm that members of the Kenna family were established in County Monaghan. During this period, the family lived through a time of significant political change and land redistribution in Ireland. As they settled in the northern part of the country, they became part of the local social fabric, navigating the challenges of seventeenth-century life while maintaining their ancestral identity. Their presence in Monaghan highlights the long-standing connection between the family name and the rural landscape of the province of Ulster.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Cionaodha
Derived from the Gaelic words for fire and wisdom.
This name
KennaA name signifying a wise or intelligent person born of fire.
also spelled
McKenna
Kenna
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland, 1985
Woulfe, Patrick, Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames, 1923
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of Ireland 1654–1656
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
lionCourage, strength and royalty
