Surname Kimball - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Reinventing Self-Understanding Through iGENEA: Unraveling The Kimball Lineage
I took an iGENEA DNA test to discover more about my Kimball ancestors, unearthed lineages I didn't know I had, discovered Viking connections, and deepened my understanding of my place in the world. This unexpected introspective journey not only diversified my perception of my ancestry but also reshaped my self-understanding.
P. Kimball
read moreKimball: What does the surname Kimball mean?
The surname Kimball is of English origin and has both historical and geographical significance. It is derived from two Old English words, namely 'Cyne' and 'Bald'. 'Cyne' translates to 'royal' and 'Bald' translates to 'bold' or 'brave'. Thus, the surname Kimball can roughly be interpreted as 'royally brave' or 'bold king'.
In geographical terms, Kimball is also believed to have been a locational surname, given to those who resided in or near a place called 'Cynebold', which further solidifies its English roots.
Like many surnames, Kimball would have initially been bestowed as a descriptive nickname - in this case, perhaps to denote a person with regal bearing or courageous nature. The name Kimball first originated from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of Britain and has been carried forward, spreading across various parts of the world over centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisKimball: Where does the name Kimball come from?
The surname Kimball is of Old English origin. It derives from the personal name "Cynebald," with "cyne" meaning royal and "bald" meaning bold. The surname Kimball can be found in England as early as the 13th century. Kimberly, a town in Norfolk, East Anglia, UK, is the source of one branch of the Kimballs.
This surname was brought to North America in the early 17th century by Hezekiah Kimball, an early colonist from England. The surname is now popular in the United States. According to the U.S. census, it is the 1,766th most common surname in the United States. It is particularly prevalent in the states of Utah, Vermont, New Hampshire, Maine and Idaho.
Apart from the USA and UK, the surname can also be found in Canada, Australia, and New Zealand due to historical migration and the influence of the British Empire. In general, however, it remains a relatively rare surname worldwide.
Variations of the surname Kimball
The surname Kimball is of English origin and is thought to have derived from the areas of Kimbolton in Huntingdonshire and Cambridge. It originally stems from the Old English personal name "Cynebald", meaning "royally bold". Other variants could include Kimbel, Kimbald, Kimball, Kimbell, Kimblad, Kimble, and Kimbley.
However, variations and alternative spellings vary widely due to errors in transcription and personal preference. Depending on geographic location and historical context, Kimball may also be spelled Kemball, Kembold or Kemboll. It could also be spelled as Kemble or Kembley, particularly in the United Kingdom.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, "Kembold" may be a lexical variant, where the 'i' has been substituted for an 'e.' Similarly, the surname Kimble, might also be of the same origin.
It's also worth noting that in some regions, the 'K' might be replaced with a 'C', leading to variations such as Cimball or Cimble.
All these variations relate back to the Old English personal name "Cynebald," and the diverse ways it has been spelled and adapted over time to give rise to the Kimball surname and its variants.
Famous people with the name Kimball
- Don Kimball: Film Producer and Director
- Kenneth Kimball: Actor
- Andrew Kimball: American Technology Executive
- Cletus Kimball: Radio Personality
- Craig Kimball: Professional Tennis Player
- Derek Kimball: Television Producer
- Doug Kimball: American Football Coach
- Fred Kimball: Cartoonist
- Julian Kimball: Actor
- Larry Kimball: Film Composer
- Rachel Kimball: Painting Artist
- Richard Kimball: Professional Golfer
- Robert Kimball: Broadway Lyricist
- Roy Kimball: American Sound Engineer
- Steven Kimball: Philosopher
- Sarah Kimball: Poet
- Deborah Kimball-Monk: Children’s Author
- Brad Kimball: Singer/Songwriter
- Christine Kimball: Ecologist
- David Kimball: Jazz Singer