Armstrong (surname) Armstrong (surname) Armstrong is a surname of Scottish borders origin. It derives from a Middle English nickname which meant someone with strong arms. In Ireland the name was adopted as an Anglicization of two Gaelic names from Ulster: "Mac Thréinfhir" (meaning "son of the strong man") and "Ó Labhraidh Tréan" (meaning "strong O'Lavery"). Clan Armstrong is a clan from the border area between England and Scotland. The Scottish Armstrong is reputed to have been originally bestowed by "an antient (sic) king of Scotland" upon "Fairbairn, his armour-bearer" following an act of strength in battle. In the UK this surname is
Kennedy (surname) Kennedy (surname) Kennedy, alternately O'Kennedy and Kennedie, is a surname of Irish and Scottish origin that has also been used as a given name. There have been several different etymologies given for the surname. One is that the name is an Anglicisation of "Ó Cinnéide", meaning "grandson of "Cinnédidh"" or "grandson of "Cinnéidigh"", with both of these personal names meaning "helmet headed." "Ceanéidigh" could be related to the old Gaelic name "Cennétig", which is known from Cennétig Mac Lorcáin, the father of the Irish high king "Brian mac Cennétig", who himself was also known as "Brian Bóruma" or Brian Boru.