SURNAMES BEGINNING WITH "K"

[Kane], [Kavanagh], [Keeler], [Keen], [Keith], [Kellerman], [Kelly], [Kemp], [Kendricks], [Kennedy], [Kenny], [Kent], [Kenyon], [Kerr], [Kerwin], [Kestler], [Kidd], [Kil], [Kilfoyle], [Kimble], [Kincade],  [King], [Kirby], [Kirk], [Kirkbride], [Kinsey], [Klein], [Knight], [Kramer]

KANE - One source suggests that the name originates from the Welsh/Celtic word meaning "beautiful". Alternatively, the Irish family name is thought to derive from the Gaelic word "Cathain" which identified a "battler" or "warrior".

KAVANAGH - Alternatively spelled as "Cavanagh" this typically Irish surname is thought to have its roots in the Gaelic name "Caomhanach" which described a person who was "welcoming and placid"

KEELER - An occupational title which was adopted by one or more of those employed within the trade, the name thought to refer to bargemen or workers on a boat called a "Keel".

KEEN - The origins for the modern name may lay in the Anglo Saxon word "Cene" meaning both fierce and/or brave. Today, the actual descriptive term Keen can mean fanatical or passionate

KEITH - One source suggests that the name derives from the Welsh/Celtic word meaning "wood dweller".

KELLERMAN - The German word "Kellerman" describes someone who lives in a "Cellar" or a "Tavern Keeper" and probably came to Britain with continental settlers or invaders.

KELLY - The modern day family name is possibly derived from the early Irish/Gaelic first name "Ceallaigh" meaning "bright headed"

KEMP - The family name is thought to originate from the Anglo Saxon word "Cempa", which itself is derived from the Latin word "Campus". In the early English form "Kempr", the name is thought to describe someone who is a "champion".

KENDRICKS - Thought to have its medieval roots in the Welsh forename "Cynwrig" which has been adapted and altered over time and associated from one generation to another.

KENNEDY - The modern name is said to originate from the Irish/Gaelic word "Cinneide" denoting someone who was "helmet-headed".

KENNY - The Irish family name is said to originate from the Gaelic word/name "Cionaoith" which identified something or someone that had "sprung from the fire".

KENT - One suggested source for the name is the Welsh/Celtic word for "white".

KENYON - Thought to have been derived from "Ennion's" mound, a local landmark, but also has a Gaelic connection with Ireland, possibly from the name "Kenny", shown above.

KERR - There are at least two possible sources for the modern day family name. The first is from the Norse word "Kjarr" which was thought to describe an area of low wet ground and possibly attached itself to someone who lived nearby. Alternatively, the early English word "Ker" was thought to identify a fort or similar and may be the root for the surname. It is worth noting however, that given the high levels of illiteracy amongst the general population, up until recent times, the "Kerr" surname might simply be the result of generally misspelling other names such as "Carr" or common words such as "Cur". 

KERWIN - Another family name which can probably find its roots in the Gaelic language and said to originate from the forename "Clardhubhain" which meant "dark" or "black" and was obviously a descriptive term attached to a particular individual because of their physical look.

KESTLER - The German title "Kessler" describes a Coppersmith or someone who makes Kettles (typically of Copper) and arrived in Britain with European settlers or invaders. The name has probably been altered from its original form to reflect a much more anglicized spelling. Alternative spellings might include Kessler.

KIDD - The roots of the name may simply reflect the practice of identifying a younger member of the family from his father or older siblings?

KIL - Many modern day surnames, particularly when prefixed with these 3 letters, tend to denote an Irish/Gaelic heritage and are are said to derive from the highly anglicized version of the word "Giolla" meaning devotee or follower of a specific saint. A similar origin can be applied to common family names which begin with the 3 letter prefix "GIL"

KILFOYLE - An explanation of the "Kil" prefix is noted above. The "Foyle" suffix might have its roots in the name of a river, or possible from the Gaelic/Celtic word Foel.

KIMBLE - Alternatively spelled as KIMBALL, the family name may have its foundations in the name "Cynbel" which was said to mean "War Chief".

KINCADE - Thought to have originated from a place in Scotland and was said to identify a "top pass"

KING - Said to be derived from the Anglo Saxon word "Cyning" which identified a tribal chief or leader, or what we would recognise as a "monarch" or "king".

KIRBY - The family name may have its roots in a geographical location, from KIRBY or KIRKBY located on the Wirral peninsula in northwest England. The origins for these place names are said to come from the Viking Norse words "Kirkje" identifying a church (as below) and "Byr" which described a settlement.

KIRK - The Viking Norse word "Kirkje" is thought to mean a "Church" and today is more commonly used in the area of modern day Scotland to identify such religious buildings.

KIRKBRIDE - The prefix "Kirk" is said to derive from the Viking word "Kirkje" or "church", which is commonly used in Scotland to identify such buildings. The "Bride" suffix might have its origins in the word for bridge or similar.

KINSEY - An individual called "Kinsey" was reported to have been the Bishop of York in around 1053AD. The name might originate from a geographical location, rather than a occupational title.

KLEIN - Thought to originate from the German word meaning "Short". Modern day variations may well include Cline or Kline which have been deliberately misspelled or simply anglicized over time.

KNIGHT - Although commonly associated with a nobleman, its common use undoubtedly derives from a recognised connection or relationship with a person or place eg: Knight's Field. The title KNIGHT is thought to originate from the early English word "Cniht"

KRAMER - Although fairly uncommon, the German word "Kramer" means "Merchant" and probably came to Britain with the continental settlers and invaders who arrived here. Alternative spellings might include Cramer

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