Surname Kinningham - Meaning and Origin

Kinningham: What does the surname Kinningham mean?

The surname Kinningham is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from the Old English words 'cyning', meaning King, and 'ham', meaning a village or enclosed piece of land. Thus the literal meaning of Kinningham is 'the village or enclosure of the King'. It is likely that the surname originated as a topographical name, referring to someone who lived in the vicinity of the King's manor or court, a place of high status at the time.

The surname Kinningham was most likely adopted as a hereditary surname when the custom of inheriting family names became widespread during the Middle Ages. The distinctive spelling of the name lends some degree of uniqueness to it, suggesting a certain line of descent within the family, or an element of honourable status.

Kinninghams are spread all over the UK, most notably in England, Scotland and Wales. The name is also found in other parts of the world, especially North America. In these locations, families most likely originated from British immigrants settled in the new land.

Today the Kinningham surname represents a proud and diverse lineage of individuals, stemming from a variety of backgrounds and cultures. It is a reminder of the importance of family, honour, and the rich history of the Old English culture.

Kinningham: Where does the name Kinningham come from?

The last name Kinningham is most common today in the United States. According to Ancestry.com, the name is most frequently found in the U.S. states of Texas, Pennsylvania, Missouri, and Virginia. The surname is also found in several other countries, including Australia, Canada, Ireland, and Scotland.

The Kinningham surname is believed to have derived from the name “Kynningham”, which comes from several English counties. The first recorded transcription of the name was in the 1300s during the Middle Ages. The name was originally given to a family or group of families with representatives living in several areas of England.

The name Kinningham is a combination of two given names, “kin” meaning “king” and “ham” meaning “home” or “homestead.” Authorities believe it was used to describe a class of leading tenants or landowners of their local communities.

In the United States, the Kinningham family mostly came over during the colonial period. It can be traced back to the Virginia area in the mid fifteen hundreds. The Kinninghams and their descendants have spread across the country over the centuries and now reside in virtually all fifty states. For many, the name Kinningham is a reminder of their early American heritage.

Variations of the surname Kinningham

Kinningham is an uncommon English surname which is considered to have multiple variants and spellings. The original spelling of the surname is Kinningham, and some of the various variants and spellings include Kennangham, Keningham, Keningham, Kenningham, Kennningham, Keninham, Kinninghum, Kynyngham and Kingsingham. This surname can also be found with different spellings and variants in other cultures, some of which include the German-based Kenningham, as well as the Welsh Kennim, Kennin, Kenny and the Irish Kininham and Kenninham.

The surname Kinningham can also be seen in surnames of Scottish origin such as Kinnin, Kinning and Kynin. These spellings derive from the traditional Scottish Clan name Kinnin which has a long history of being interwoven one nation to the next.

In addition to the above variants, the surname Kinningham also has several variations in spelling and pronunciation throughout the different nations where it is found. These include Kinnan, Kinan, Kiman, Kinam, Keinam, Keinham and Keinnenham. As can be seen, this surname has had many chances and changes to take on different spelling forms over the centuries.

It is also important to note that the surname Kinningham is often found as part of surnames which encompass two or more surnames. These combinations typically involve the surname Kinningham joined with other surnames whose family members have intermarried over the years. A few examples of these combinations include Kingingham-Macdonald, Keningham-Gardner, Kinningham-Harris, Kynyngham-Moore, Kenninham-Lawton and Kingsingham-Campbell.

Famous people with the name Kinningham

• Jacqueline Kinningham: actress known for her roles in television, theater, and film.
• Jay Kinningham: Canadian actor whose career spanned from the 1960s to the mid-2000s.
• Joe Kinningham: British actor, best-known for his role as Dr. Boyd on the British hospital drama series, Casualty.
• Mallory Kinningham: Canadian actor, writer and producer who starred in the hit CW series Our Girl and Degrassi: The Next Generation.
• Sinitta Kinningham: British singer and former judge on The X Factor UK.
• Joey Kinningham: American actor best known for roles in films such as A Big Hand for the Little Lady, The High Chaparral and others.
• Adam Kinningham: American actor and model known for roles in films such as Zombieland and Scary Movie, as well as television series such as Law & Order and Nickelodeon’s Victorious.
• Toby Kinningham: British actor who has appeared in many television series, including Inspector Morse, The Bill and The Durrells.
• Cheryl Kinningham: English actress best known for her starring role in the horror-comedy film, Slither.
• Alan Kinningham: British actor, best-known for his role as the sinister villain, Blofeld, in the 1969 James Bond movie, On Her Majesty's Secret Service.

Other surnames

Kinninghan