Surname Kissing - Meaning and Origin

Kissing: What does the surname Kissing mean?

The exact origin of the surname Kissing is unclear, however it is believed to be of German or English origin. It is most likely derived from the German word Kuss, which means "kiss," which is linked to late Old High German kusso, meaning "to kiss." This suggests that the name Kissing emerged as a nickname for someone who was fond of kissing, or as a derivation of a place with a similar name.

The surname only appears to have been in use since the late 16th century, and is currently most common in Germany, with concentrations of the name recorded in the German state of Hesse. It is also recorded more widely across Germany, as well as in the Netherlands, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

The surnames Kussing and Kissinger are often considered variants of Kissing. The former was first used in the German region of Hessia, while the latter was thought to have emerged in Germany at the start of the 16th century, eventually becoming more popular in the United States. The spelling Kisling and Kissling is also relatively common.

Kissing is a notable name in the United States, with the most prominent bearer of it being Henry A. Kissing, who became the first mayor of San Diego in 1850. The name has also become a little commonplace within the entertainment industry, with Frances Kissing having been a Pulitzer-prize-winning novel in 1997, and Music-Kissing having been a successful rock band from the 1960s.

Kissing: Where does the name Kissing come from?

The last name Kissing is most commonly found in Europe, particularly Austria and Germany. It is typically a hyphenated name, such as Kissing-Schmidt or Kissing-Schneider. The name is derived from the Middle High German word “Küssen” which means “to kiss”.

The name is still found in Austria, Germany, and parts of Switzerland. There are roughly 3,500 people who currently have the last name Kissing in those three countries combined. It is thought that the name concentrations are highest near the areas of Münster and Emskreis in Germany, and also in Vorarlberg, Austria.

The last name Kissing also appears in other countries around the world, most likely due to immigration. There are Kissing families in the United States, particularly in the Midwest and some of the South, and also in the United Kingdom.

The Kissing surname appears in records as far back as the 15th century and is thought to have originated among Bavarian or Austrian noble families. It is now considered a fairly common last name, with people of the same name scattered around the world.

Variations of the surname Kissing

Kissing is an Anglo-Saxon and German surname which can be spelled a variety of ways, including Kissin, Kissen, Keesen, Keesing, Keesin, Keesing, Kisser, Keizer, Keizerin and Keeser.

The German version of the name drawn from a diminutive of the given name ‘Konrad’ which is an old German name derived from the elements ‘kuhn’ meaning bold or strong and ‘rad’, meaning counsel. The surname could also have arrived in England as a result of the Norman Conquest of 1066.

In making their way into England the spelling of the name may have changed over time due to the many influences from English regional dialects and language. Variations such as Kisede, Kisside, Kizsinge, Kyssinge, Kissad, Kised and Kissick may be found in existing records.

The German surname is also found worldwide as countries like Australia, the United States and Canada have attracted immigrants from Germany. In North America the spelling variations have become more mixed notably upon the migration of Germans to Ellis Island during the late 1800s. Kissanger, Kissenge, Kinczinge, Kensinger, Kissencher and Kisesinger are just some of the many spellings variants documented from this period.

Kissinger is a variant of Kissing which is still used in the United States today. Other variations arising in the 1800s include Kissenburger, Kissam, Kiezkier, Kize and Kieser.

Famous people with the name Kissing

• Abbie Kissing, an Australian musician and actor.
• Lainy Kissing, an American YouTuber and influencer.
• Sienna Kissing, an American model, actress, and athlete.
• Schlesinger Kissing, a Latvian chess player and trainer.
• Gabriella Kissing, a British artist and sculptor.
• Maria Kissing, an American author, lecturer, and philanthropist.
• Coltin Kissing, a New Zealander martial artist.
• Marco Kissing, a Brazilian football player.
• Josh Kissing, a Canadian actor and filmmaker.
• Elijah Kissing, an American rapper and spoken-word artist.
• Yancy Kissing, an American fashion designer.
• Charles Kissing, an Austrian musician and conductor.
• Livie Kissing, a Japanese-American illustrator and painter.
• Anatoly Kissing, a Russian politician and diplomat.
• Agatha Kissing, a British ballet dancer.

Other surnames

KissickKissigKissinger