Kennard

Kennard is an English surname that has also been adopted as a male given name. As a surname, it is derived from the Old English given names Cyneweard or Cyneheard, both of which combine elements meaning "royal" and "guard" or "hardy," respectively.

Etymology and Origins

The element cyne means "royal" in Old English, and is found in many traditional Anglo-Saxon names such as Cyneweard ("royal guard") and Cyneheard ("royal hardy"). Over time, these given names were used as surnames, eventually evolving into the modern form Kennard through phonetic changes and standardization.

Notable Bearers

Notable individuals with the surname Kennard include Thomas P. Kennard, Nebraska's first Secretary of State, after whom Kennard, Nebraska, is named. Several places in the United States also bear the name Kennard, including a town in Indiana founded by Jenkins Kennard, a village in Nebraska, and an unincorporated community in Ohio.

Variant Forms

The name Kennard is directly related to Cyneweard and Cyneheard, both of which share the royal element. In modern usage, Kennard is more common as a surname than a given name, but it retains a masculine association.

• Meaning: From a surname derived from Old English given names meaning "royal guard" or "royal hardy"
• Origin: Old English (Anglo-Saxon)
• Type: Surname used as first name
• Usage: English
• Related Names: Cyneweard, Cyneheard