Map of Ireland showing where the Kenworthy arms are recorded
The Kenworthy arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Kenworthy 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 Ireland.
Origin & History of the Kenworthy Family in Ireland
The family name Kenworthy originates from the Old English language, combining the words for a royal or noble dwelling with a specific type of meadow or enclosure. While the name is most famously associated with the hills of Northern England, records confirm that members of the family were established in Dublin by 1645. During this period, the movement of families between England and Ireland was common due to trade, military service, and land administration. These early settlers in Dublin likely integrated into the urban merchant class, as the city served as a vital hub for commerce and political activity in the seventeenth century. By maintaining a presence in such a significant administrative center, the Kenworthy family became part of the complex social fabric that defined Ireland during a time of great historical transition.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ceneweard
Old English elements meaning bold or keen and guardian or protector.
This name
KenworthyDerived from a place name meaning the enclosure or farmstead belonging to a bold guardian.
also spelled
Kenworthie
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Bardsley, Charles Wareing, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, 1901
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin, 1654–1656
Reaney, Percy Hide, A Dictionary of British Surnames, 1958
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
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
