Kent (surname)

Kent is a surname of multiple origins, found primarily in English-speaking countries.

Origin and Meaning:

• English: It can be a locational surname derived from the county of Kent in southeastern England. The county name is thought to be derived from the Brythonic word Cantion, meaning "coastal district" or "borderland," referring to its position on the coast of Britain. Individuals who migrated from Kent to other areas may have adopted the surname.
• Irish: It can be an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Cinnte, which is derived from cionnta meaning "crime" or "offense". This name might have originally denoted someone associated with a crime or perhaps someone who judged crimes. It is more prevalent in County Cork, Ireland.
• German: It is theorized to be a short form of a Germanic personal name, possibly Konrad or similar names containing the element kun meaning "kin," "tribe," or "family".
• Jewish (Ashkenazic): In some instances, Kent may be an ornamental surname adopted by Jewish families in Europe. The specific meaning in this context is not well-documented.

Distribution:

The surname Kent is more common in England, followed by the United States, Australia, and Canada. Within England, it is most frequently found in regions surrounding the county of Kent.

Notable People with the Surname Kent:

• Arthur Kent (born 1933), Canadian journalist
• Clark Kent, the secret identity of the fictional superhero Superman
• Jeff Kent (born 1968), American baseball player
• Rockwell Kent (1882-1971), American painter, printmaker, illustrator, and writer