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« on: Saturday 03 April 10 11:10 BST (UK) »
My own interest in the Kenny name in Fermanagh is to discover its origins. It is a Gaelic name in general but has had several branches or septs that had their name anglicised to 'Kenny'. It is a name in Galway, Donegal, Clare and in Down. The Fermanagh clan are difficult to work out. There is no obvious root of the family in Fermanagh (I think). My suggestions on their origins are:
1. The are an native Fermanagh family but were so small and insignificant they were not recorded. (see Livingston's History of Fermanagh). The ancient bardic Breslin family history does mention Kenny's as relations.
2. They are a part of the Fermanagh 'McCanny' or 'Canny' family. They are native to Fermanagh. It was common for names to change spelling slightly or drop 'Mc' or 'O' of necessary. If there was a change of religion from Catholic to Protestant this also might happen.
3. Since they are near the border with Monaghan they may be 'McKenna' or 'Kenna' stock. The name McKenna in Irish is MacCionaoith. Kenny in Irish is O'Cionaoith. Some Kenny surnames have differing Irish roots.
4. They may be a family that came from Donegal which have Kenny as a native family name. This may be supported in that these Kenny's worked for the landed English family and landowners the Brooke's. This family owned estates in Donegal and Fermanagh and it would not be uncommon for landowners to offer work and tenancy in their other estates. The Brooke's owned land in North Donegal were many Kenny's came from.
5. They may have completely different origin such as in Kenna, Kenney, Kinney etc. I don't think the name in this case has an English origin as with some of the Galway Kenny's.
That's my thoughts anyway. No proof I'm afraid, just conjecture having done some study.