Surname Kingsmill - Meaning and Origin
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Kingsmill: What does the surname Kingsmill mean?
The last name Kingsmill is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old English term "Cyningesmylle," meaning "King's Mill." Archaeological evidence indicates the name was first recorded in 1066 during the Norman Conquest as a place-name and is mentioned specifically as one of the manors held under Winchester Cathedral for many centuries. The name was most likely given to one who lived in or near the King's Mill.
The surname Kingsmill subsequently evolved into an English surname and was later adopted by descendants of families living in the areas of Hampshire, Middlesex, and Oxford. The earliest recorded bearer was Johannes de Kynyngesmylle, who was listed in the Hundred Rolls of 1273.
The Kingsmill family have maintained a tradition of service to the Crown and country for several hundred years leading up to the present day. During World War II, Major General Philip Murray Kingsmill became Commander-in-Chief of the British Army in Burma.
Today, the Kingsmill family is found mostly in the United Kingdom, but its influence continues with family members living all around the world. The Kingsmill name is a strong reminder of a proud heritage and the significance of the King's Mill in the development of modern-day Britain.
Order DNA origin analysisKingsmill: Where does the name Kingsmill come from?
The last name Kingsmill is most common in the United Kingdom today. It is believed to have originated from the Middle Ages, when a family of the same name owned the property of Kingsmill in Oxfordshire. During the 17th century, members of the Kingsmill family were prominent citizens in the Oxford area.
The modern day Kingsmills can trace their ancestry back to the Kingsmill family who were a large landowning family in Oxfordshire. Over the centuries, other branches of the Kingsmill family migrated to other parts of the United Kingdom, including Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
The largest concentration of people with the last name Kingsmill can be found in England, particularly in Birmingham and Leicester. In the 2011 UK Census, it was found that 3,360 people had the last name Kingsmill.
Today, the most significant legacy of the Kingsmill family due to their migrations to the other regions within the UK is the presence of the surname in those areas. The Kingsmill family has left an indelible mark on the cultural landscape of the United Kingdom, as their name is still one of the most common surnames in the country.
Variations of the surname Kingsmill
The surname Kingsmill is a patronymic name derived from the ancient Anglo-Saxon personal name Cyning(s)- ‘king’ and myll ‘mill’. It is first recorded in Nottinghamshire in the 13th century, and was used later on as a given name as well as a surname.
Variations on the surname Kingsmill include Kimbermill, Kingsmell,Kingsmaill and Kingsmilll. Spellings can also vary from Kynsmell, Kinsmell and Kynsmill or Kinzmull.
Many of the name bearers can be traced back to Kingsmill Manor in Wyke Regis, Dorset, England which was owned by the Kingsmill family as early as the 12th century. Variations on the name began to appear in other parts of the country, including Kimbermill in the West Midlands, and Kingsmell in Staffordshire, Essex and Lancashire.
The surname also appears in records from other countries around the same time, such as Kingsmille in Scotland and Kings Mueller in Germany.
There are also many surnames derived from the Kingsmill line. These include: Kingham, Kingsman, Kingwell, Kyne, Kines, Kings, Kinsey, Kingsbury, Kingcombe and Kingsnorth. Each of these surnames may have a similar origin to the Kingsmills of England but represent different regional or linguistic variations.
The Kingsmill spelling appears to be the most established version of the name and is still relatively popular throughout England.
Famous people with the name Kingsmill
- Chris Kingsmill: former Australian rules football player.
- Louis Kingsmill: Australian tennis player.
- Jessica Kingsmill: American Olympic field hockey player.
- Luke Kingsmill: lobbyist and former Australian Senator.
- Don Kingsmill: Canadian lawyer and judge.
- Mike Kingsmill: English actor.
- John Kingsmill: British Army officer who served in the First World War.
- Cyril Kingsmill: Canadian engineer and inventor of an early radio receiver.
- William Kingsmill: English politician.
- Daniel Kingsmill: Irish poet and author.