Kench

This unusual surname is a Manx (Isle of Man) variant of the Old Gaelic (Irish and Scottish) "Mag Aonghuis", son of Aongus or Angus, from "Mac", son (frequently written as "mag" before a vowel), and the ancient male given name "A(o)ngus", a compound of "aon", one, unique, and "gus", choice. The first bearer of this name is believed to be Aonghus Turimleach, one of three Irish brothers, who invaded Scotland in he 3rd Century B.C., and gave his name to the district of Angus. It was also borne by a famous 8th Century Pictish king, said to be the son of Daghda, the chief god of the Irish, and Boann, his wife, who gave her name to the river Boyne. The MagAonghuis family were one of the leading septs of Ulster, and their main territory lay in Iveagh, County Down. The father of a 16th Century chief called "Magennis" was regarded as "the civillent of all the Irish in these parts". Early examples of the surname from Scotland include: Dunkan Makangus (Cawdor, 1492); Donald McKynes (Angus, 1514); Duncan McKinwas (Inveraray, 1535); and Gilbert M'Kinshe, cordiner at the Brigend of Dumfries (1638). One Donold Kynyshe was recorded in "The Manx Notebook" in 1601. On June 17th 1654, John Kinch and Alce Sandifor were married at St. Michan's, Dublin, and on September 12th 1654, Robert, son of John and Ellen Kench, was christened at St. Giles' Cripplegate, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Alice Kenche, which was dated February 23rd 1583, marriage to George Simson, at St. Dunstan's in the East, London, during the reign of Queen Elizabeth 1, known as "Good Queen Bess", 1558 - 1603. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.