Surname Kemmis - Meaning and Origin
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Kemmis: What does the surname Kemmis mean?
The last name Kemmis is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word cēom, meaning “warrior”. It is believed to have originated in the north of England and was a common nickname for a fierce fighter during the Middle Ages. The name and its variants spread across the British Isles and is still found in parts of the United Kingdom today.
The topographical features that the Kemmis surname may refer to include Kemmis Field, an estate in Somerset, England, believed to be the ancestral home of the Kemmis family. There are several other Kemmis name bearers living in England today, including a few in the smaller towns in the English Midlands and North.
The name is also found in the larger cities of the United Kingdom, such as London, Birmingham, Liverpool, Manchester, and Belfast, where the Kemmis family may have emigrated from Europe. Further, the surname is also found in Australia, New Zealand, and North America as a result of emigration in the 19th and 20th centuries.
Today, the Kemmis last name is most commonly found in areas of domestic and international business, such as banking, finance, and industry. With the spread of the Kemmis name, the true meaning of the word warrior still holds strong, and those known by the name Kemmis are still seen as strong, capable, and determined individuals.
Order DNA origin analysisKemmis: Where does the name Kemmis come from?
The last name Kemmis is most commonly found in English-speaking countries, particularly in the United Kingdom. The name is linked to an Old English locational surname, with records from as early as 1245 as spelled "Kemes," and was likely derived from a place with the same name.
Over the centuries, the name has had various spellings, such as: Kemmeiss, Kemmeis, Kemmise, and now Kemmis. While the origin is English, Kemmis is not a very common name, and today, it is primarily located in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, and the United States.
In England, there are over 330 Kemmis households, the largest concentrations being in Devon, Lancashire, and Nottinghamshire counties. The name can also be found in some parts of Wales, in Scotland, and Ireland.
In the United States, the primary concentration of Kemmis households can be found in the New England states of Massachusetts, New York, Vermont and New Hampshire. There are also some Kemmis households located in Pennsylvania, California, Michigan, and Ohio.
In the past few decades, the gradual globalization of the world has caused the name Kemmis to grow in popularity in other parts of the world. In recent years, the name has been found in Australia, Canada, France, Finland, Germany, Portugal, and Singapore.
Overall, the last name Kemmis is linked to an Old English locational surname and is currently located in most English-speaking countries with a majority of the households found in England, Wales, Scotland, Ireland, the United States, Australia, Canada, and some parts of Europe.
Variations of the surname Kemmis
Kemmis is an English surname derived from the early medieval given name Kemp, which was a nickname for someone who was a wrestler. The earliest record of the Kemmis family name dates back to the early 14th century in Shropshire, England.
Variant Spellings
Kemmish, Kemaes, Kemaise, Kemaiss, Kemese, Kemesey, Kemise, Kemmese, Kemmys, Kemys.
Surnames of the Same Origin
The Kemmis surname is derived from the given name Kemp; therefore, surnames of the same origin would include Kemp, Kempe, Kempse, Kempster, Kempy, Kempton, and Kempt.
Other variants associated with the given name Kemp include Kempe, Kempo, Kempte, Kempter, Kempon, Kenpe, Kempt, Kenps, Kempster, Kempsey, Kempsie, Keampson, Keimps, Kemptse, Kempton, Kempthorne, Kempthorpe, Kampp, Kamp, Kamper, Kampster, Kamppson, Kample, Kampot, and Kempten.
Famous people with the name Kemmis
- William Kemmis Horwill (1847-1921): British civil engineer and politician
- Jack Kemmis (1892-1954): Australian rules footballer
- Harrison Kemmis (1913-1991): American actor
- Clarrisa Kemmis (1917-2011): British writer
- C. Tucker Kemmis (born 1949): American businessman
- Erna Kemmis (1908-2011): American marine biologist
- David Kemmis (1929-2015): American educator and author
- Charles Kemmis (1934-1999): American archivist
- Sam Kemmis (born 1963): American documentary filmmaker
- Zachary Kemmis (born 1981): American boat racer and builder