Surname Kitching - Meaning and Origin
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Kitching: What does the surname Kitching mean?
The last name Kitching is of Anglo-Saxon origin and was primarily used in Northern England and Scotland during the Middle Ages. The name likely derives from the Old English elements cyte, meaning "kite or hawk", and ing, meaning “meadow or enclosure”. Thus, the name Kitching likely referred to individuals who either lived near a meadow or enclosure in which hawks were present, or those who took on a profession of hunting with hawks.
The surname Kitching is still prevalent today, particularly in the United Kingdom and Australia. The name is also found in various spellings, such as Kitchin or Keychynge. It might be considered a relatively rare name outside of areas where it was once based, however.
The Kitching lineage has a rich and varied history. Early settlers in the British Isles can be traced to Scotland in the 1500s, and the family spread to counties in the North and Midlands in the early 1600s. The Kitchings were known to be among the earliest farmers and landowners in many areas of Britain.
Kitchings appear in records from later centuries, too. In the 19th century, many members of the Kitching family migrated to the United States. One particular branch of the family, the Kitchings of South Carolina, held a well-known plantation.
The surname Kitching has been associated with numerous famous people throughout history, including William Kitching, an Australian barrister; John Kitching, an explorer of the Australian Outback; and William Henry Kitching, a World War I soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross.
Although austere in its origin, the surname Kitching has become a distinguished name held by those who have contributed greatly to their respective societies around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisKitching: Where does the name Kitching come from?
The surname Kitching is an ancient English name originating in Leeds, West Yorkshire. The name derives from the Old English 'cycing', which means 'cheeky' or 'bold'.
Today, the surname Kitching can be found mainly in the United Kingdom and its former colonies, particularly in Australia and New Zealand. In the UK, the majority of people bearing the name Kitching live in England and Wales. Scotland and Northern Ireland each have fewer than 500 Kitchings.
Outside the UK, the surname Kitching is especially common in the United States, Canada, and Australia. In each of these countries, the last name is still found in its original form. In the US, Kitching is particularly common in Pennsylvania, New York, and Ohio.
The Kitching family is thought to have originated in Yorkshire during the 8th century. Today, it is considered one of the oldest surnames in the British Isles. As a result, it is quite likely that the descendants of the original Kitchings have spread across the world, carrying their name with them.
Variations of the surname Kitching
Kitching is an English surname originating from the Middle English word ‘kichinge', meaning dwelling or home. The name was most likely given to a person who lived close to a small settlement, or someone who was in charge of it. It has a variety of spellings, including Kitchening, Kitchinge, Kytching and Kytyng.
Variations of the surname Kitching can be found in records from the late 14th century through to the mid-20th century. In some instances, the name Kitching appears as a given name, as opposed to a surname. Examples can be found of it being used as a forename for a woman in a marriage record, from 1671.
The surname has several derivatives, such as Kitchingman, which is believed to be a patronymic form of the original surname. It may have been an occupational name that referred to a guard who looked after a kitchen, or a chimney sweep. Another derivative is Kitton, which may come from the Old English ‘citing’ meaning ‘previous’ and ‘tun’ meaning a collection of homes.
The name Kitching is also found in combination with other surnames, such as Kitching-Harvey, Kitching-Wilson or Kitching-Smith, which could indicate that the person was from a family of different surnames. It can also be found as an alternative spelling of Kitchin.
Kitching is still common today and is found in the United Kingdom, United States and Australia, as well as other countries.
Famous people with the name Kitching
- Andy Kitching: English football goalkeeper who plays for Fleetwood Town.
- Zane Kitching: Australian actor known for his eclectic body of work, which includes ‘Wolf Creek 2’, Australian television series ‘Wolf Creek’ and the stage production ‘The Gruffalo’.
- Cosmo Kitching: British writer, activist, gender policy advisor and board member of UK-based international charity Free the Children.
- Billy Kitching: Former British professional snooker player active in the British Snooker Scene from 1969 to 2003.
- Kevin Kitching: Former English professional footballer who played for Sheffield United, Huddersfield Town and Hull City.
- Dave Kitching: English professional soccer coach and former player who currently serves as the head coach of Boston United.
- Roger Kitching: Canadian former professional lacrosse player and coach.
- Pete Kitching: British professional Para Snowboarder for the British Paralympic Team.
- James Kitching: British sprint coach and former athlete, and started the JKRunning business in 2012.
- Robert Kitching: Australian former professional golfer who also achieved success as a golfer in his homeland of South Africa.