Chenoweth

Etymology

Chenoweth comes from Cornish chy noweth, meaning “new house.” It is associated with place-names in Cornwall, especially Chynoweth in Cubert, and the surname likely began as a locational name for people who came from or lived near that place. Historical spellings include Chynoweth, Chynowth, Chinoweth, and Chenoweth.

History

The name is strongly rooted in Cornwall and was noted by 19th-century writers as belonging to one of the county’s older families. The same source also points to at least one other Cornwall place called Chynoweth, so more than one local family may have taken the surname independently. Outside Cornwall, the name is most often found through later migration.

Origin

Regions

Variant spellings

Fun fact

The literal meaning is refreshingly plain: “new house” — a reminder that many surnames began as simple directions to where someone lived.