Kimmel History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The rich and ancient history of the Kimmel family name dates back to the time of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. It comes from Buckinghamshire at either Great Kimble or Little Kimble, parishes in the union of Wycombe, hundred of Aylesbury. "[Great Kimble] according to old records, was anciently called Kunebel, from Cunobelin, or Cymbeline, the British king, whose sons here gallantly opposed the Romans, but were defeated, and one of them slain. There are still the remains of several intrenchments on the supposed field of battle; and on a circular mound in the neighbourhood are vestiges of a fortification termed Belinus' Castle, where it is said Cunobelin dwelt. " 1

Both places are listed in the Domesday Book of 1086 collectively as Chenebelle, and literally meant "royal bell-shaped hill," from the Old English words "cyne" + "bell." 2

Early Origins of the Kimmel family

The surname Kimmel was first found in Wiltshire where Turbet filius Chembel was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1130. A few years later, Richard Cembel was listed in the Pipe Rolls of Huntingdonshire, and later Roger Cumbel, Chimbel, Kymbel, Kimbel was found in the Pipe Rolls for Warwickshire, 1191-1193. Over in Suffolk, John Kennebelle was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for 1327. 3

Robert Kinebald was found in Somerset 1215-1221; Ralph Kenebold in the 13th century on the Isle of Wight; William Kembald in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1302; William Kenebold and Nicholas Kembol, both in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327. 3

Hugo de Kenebell was found in the Curia Regis Rolls for Berkshire in 1196; Roger de Kinebelle in the Hundredorum Rolls for Berkshire in 1255; and Thomas de Kymble was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Cambridgeshire in 1327. 3

The Hundredorum Rolls of 1273 had two entries for the family: Richard de Kinebell Buckinghamshire; and John de Kinebelle, Oxfordshire. 4

In Norfolk, Nicholas Kymbell was listed there 3 Henry IV (during the third year of King Henry IV's reign.) 5

Early History of the Kimmel family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kimmel research. Another 187 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1196, 1599, 1625, 1654, 1657, 1678, 1679, 1680, 1721, 1729, 1736, 1742, 1751, 1752, 1754, 1758, 1802, 1804 and 1822 are included under the topic Early Kimmel History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kimmel Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate spelled their names differently as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Kimmel have been found, including Kimball, Kimbell, Kimbel, Kemple, Kemble, Kimble and others.

Early Notables of the Kimmel family

Notables of the family at this time include Saint John Kemble (1599-1679), an English Roman Catholic martyr, one of the Forty Martyrs of England and Wales. He "appears to have been son of George Kemble of Longford, Herefordshire. He was ordained priest at Douay 23 Feb. 1625, and on 4 June was sent on the mission in Herefordshire. In 1678, at the time of the Popish plot, he was seized at Pembridge Castle, Herefordshire, where he was living as chaplain to the Scudamore family. He was tried at Hereford, convicted as having said mass at Pembridge, and executed at Widemarsh Common...
Another 256 words (18 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kimmel Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kimmel Ranking

In the United States, the name Kimmel is the 3,530^th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 6 However, in France, the name Kimmel is ranked the 5,646^th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 7

Kimmel migration to the United States +

Families began migrating abroad in enormous numbers because of the political and religious discontent in England. Often faced with persecution and starvation in England, the possibilities of the New World attracted many English people. Although the ocean trips took many lives, those who did get to North America were instrumental in building the necessary groundwork for what would become for new powerful nations. Among the first immigrants of the name Kimmel, or a variant listed above to cross the Atlantic and come to North America were :

Kimmel Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Johann Jacob Kimmel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1750 8
Jacob Kimmel, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1751 8
Adam Kimmel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1751 8
George Kimmel, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1751 8
Valentin Kimmel, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1751 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Kimmel Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Karl Kimmel, aged 28, who arrived in Missouri in 1840 8
Mr. Georg Kimmel, German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1847 aboard the ship "Louise Friedke."
Mrs. Elis. Kimmel, (nee Loos), German who arrived in Galveston, Texas in 1847 aboard the ship "Louise Friedke."
Adam Kimmel, aged 21, who arrived in New York, NY in 1848 8
Theodore Kimmel, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1858 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Kimmel (post 1700) +

James Christian "Jimmy" Kimmel (b. 1967), American comedian, voice actor, actor and television host, and radio personality, best known as the host and creator of Jimmy Kimmel Live!
Bernard Kimmel (1926-2022), American physician and politician, Member of the Florida House of Representatives (1980-1982)
Manning Marius Kimmel (1913-1944), United States Navy submarine officer in World War II
Martin S. Kimmel (1916-2008), American real estate developer and philanthropist, co-founder of Kimco Realty Corporation
Eric A. Kimmel (b. 1946), American Jewish author
Tom Kimmel (b. 1953), born Thomas Eugene Hobbs II, an American singer-songwriter and poet
John C. Kimmel (b. 1954), American thoroughbred racehorse trainer
Amanda Lee Kimmel (b. 1984), American actress, model, and former beauty queen
Frank James Kimmel (b. 1962), American stock car racing driver
Sidney J. Kimmel (b. 1928), American businessman and philanthropist, founder of the Jones Apparel Group
... (Another 1 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Rye, Walter, A History of Norfolk. London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, 1885. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
http://www.journaldesfemmes.com/nom-de-famille/nom/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)