Kenner History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Kenner

What does the name Kenner mean?

The Kenner family saga is rooted in the people of the Pictish Clan of ancient Scotland. The Kenner family lived in the lands of Kinnear, which lie near Wormit in the county of Fife. 1 The name literally means “chieftain.” 2

Early Origins of the Kenner family

The surname Kenner was first found in Fife, from the lands of Kin-near near Wormit. The family descend from “Symon, son of Michael, [who] gave a carucate of land of Cathelai to the church of St. Andrews. His grant was confirmed by King Malcolm IV, and King William confirmed the grant of Chathelach, with common pasture for twenty-four beasts, and eighty sheep, which Symon, son of Michael gave, and his son Alan confirmed. The descendants of Symon took the name of Kinnear, and were the vassals of the Priory of St. Andrews in the lands of Kathlac, etc., which they held till the beginning of the eighteenth century. Reginald de Kener witnessed gift of one mark of silver annually by Alexander, earl of Buchan to the Abbey of Arnbroath, c. 1250.” 3