Origin of King


This ancient and distinguished surname belongs to that sizeable group of European urnames that were gradually created from the habitual use of nicknames. These nicknames were given with reference to a variety of personal characteristics, such as physical attributes or peculiarities, mental and moral characteristics, and to habits of dress and behaviour. The derivation, in this instance, is from the Middle English "king", ultimately from the Olde English pre 7th Century "cyning", king, used to denote someone who conducted himself in a kingly manner; one who had played the part of a king in a medieval pageant, or perhaps won the title in some contest.

This surname has the rare distinction of being recorded prior to the Domesday Book of 1086 (see below). Further early recordings from England and Scotland include: Geoffrey King (Cambridgeshire, 1177); Wuluricus le King (Suffolk, 1182); and Robertus dictus King (Aberdeenshire, 1247). When found in Ireland, the surname may be either of English origin, introduced following the Anglo-Norman invasion of 1170, or of Gaelic derivation. In the latter case, King is an Anglicized form of the Old Gaelic "O'Cionga" or "O'Cingeadh" (first Anglicized O'Kinga), a family which in medieval times were seated on the Island of Inismor in Lough Ree. Robert King, second Earl of Kingston (1754 - 1799), was M.P. for County Cork in 1783, 1790 and 1798. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Aelwine se Cyng, which was dated 1050, in the "Old English Byname Register", Devonshire, during the reign of Edward the Confessor, a Saxon, 1042 - 1066. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

  1. United States United States
  2. England England
  3. Australia Australia
  4. Canada Canada
  5. South Africa South Africa
  6. Sierra Leone Sierra Leone
  7. Nigeria Nigeria
  8. Sudan Sudan
  9. Mozambique Mozambique
  10. Togo Togo
  11. Scotland Scotland
  12. Ireland Ireland

The surname King. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

We can try to trace the genealogy of the surname king, and in addition to the original locations of king, we can find out where people with the surname king can currently be found. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of king.

The surname King around the world

The mobility of people carrying the surname king has led to its presence in different countries, as you can verify.

History of King

The history, heraldry, coats of arms, and possible nobility of the surname king are scattered in documents across various regions and historical periods, so it is necessary to reconstruct a complex puzzle to approach the facts from a realistic perspective. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname king.

Please note that if you are in a position to provide more data about the surname king or any other surname and its origin, we would appreciate your collaboration with us by sending us information about the origin of king.

Notable Figures Named King

A surname like king can connect a person to an illustrious lineage and a distinguished coat of arms. However, it must be kept in mind that it is individual people who, through their lives and actions, bring fame and recognition to their surnames. If you or someone you know bears the surname king, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.

The surname King and its bibliographic sources

We consider it highly advisable to refer to the following sources if you wish to conduct research on the surname king, as well as many other surnames. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of king.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of king, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

  1. Kaing
  2. Kang
  3. Keng
  4. Kiang
  5. Kieng
  6. Kinge
  7. Kingo
  8. Kings
  9. Kink
  10. Kins
  11. Kinz
  12. Kiong
  13. Kong
  14. Kung
  15. Kinga
  16. Kyng
  17. Kingu
  18. Kng
  19. Kiing
  20. Kinig
  21. Kingh
  22. Kahng
  23. Kainz
  24. Kanga
  25. Kanig
  26. Kanz
  27. Kenig
  28. Keung
  29. Khaing
  30. Khang
  31. Kheng
  32. Khiong
  33. Khong
  34. Kinas
  35. Kinch
  36. Kincy
  37. Kines
  38. Kinjo
  39. Kinzy
  40. Koang
  41. Konig
  42. Kons
  43. Konz
  44. Kowing
  45. Kuang
  46. Kunc
  47. Kunk
  48. Kuns
  49. Kunz
  50. Kwang