The surname name Kennedy is an anglicised version of the Gaelic name Cinn éide which translates as helmeted head. Brian Ború, as High King of Ireland, enacted a law that required all families choose a name that would continue by inheritance. These surnames came into use in the early eleventh century and the name Ó Cinnéide was adopted as a surname by Mahoun, a son of Brian’s older brother, Don Cuan.
Ancient Territory: After the death of Marcan Mac Cinneidi in 1010, the Ó Cinnéide crossed Lough Derg from the Killaloe side to secure their hold on the lands of the great monastery there. The early Ó Cinnéide of Lower Ormond gradually established themselves as cow-lords in order to make use of the territory and build the wealth that enabled them to become the Lords of Ormond. By the time of the Civil Survey of 1641 the Ó Cinnéide held over 21,000 acres in Lower Ormond and had either built or gained possession of up to twenty castles.
Contact: Phyliis Ryan Kennedy