Map of Britain showing where the Kennelly arms are recorded
The Kennelly arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats of arms.
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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the Kennelly arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Britain.
Origin & History of the Kennelly Family in Britain
The surname Kennelly is deeply rooted in the history of the British Isles, with early branches of the family establishing a notable presence in the county of Kent by the year 1700. During this period, families in Kent were often tied to the local agricultural economy or the bustling maritime trade routes that connected the region to London and the continent. As the family settled into these communities, they became part of the social fabric of rural parishes, often appearing in local records through baptisms, marriages, and property transactions. While the name likely evolved from older linguistic roots, its firm establishment in Kent suggests that these early ancestors were industrious people who adapted to the shifting economic landscape of eighteenth-century England. By integrating into the local parish systems, the Kennelly family helped shape the history of their home county during a time of significant social and industrial growth.
Kennelly Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Cinnfhaoladh
Derived from Gaelic words meaning head or chief and wolf.
This name
KennellyAn anglicized form of an Irish surname signifying a wolf-headed warrior or leader.
also spelled
Kennelly
Okenelee
Kenelly
Kennelie
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Everitt, Alan, Continuity and Colonization: The Evolution of Kentish Settlement, 1986
Kent History and Library Centre, Parish Registers of Kent, 1700–1750
Newman, John, The Buildings of England: West Kent and the Weald, 1969
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
