Kimsey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The Kimsey surname has several possible origins: no doubt some instances of this surname evolved from an Old English personal name made up of two elements, "cyne," or "royal" and "sige," or "victory." In Yorkshire, it is generally thought that bearers of Kimsey may have taken the name from a place name. Still other instances of Kimsey probably derive from a variation of the Kingsley surname. In any case, it would seem that this surname predates the Norman invasion of Britain.

Early Origins of the Kimsey family

The surname Kimsey was first found in Gloucestershire where the first on record was William Kynsei, who was recorded in the "Inquisitiones post mortem" for Gloucestershire in 1306. 1

Another source notes the family could have originated in Yorkshire, specifically at Kilnsea (Kilnsay, Kilnsey), a parish in the East Riding or at Kilnsay, a hamlet in the parish of Burnsall, in the West Riding. 2

Other early records show William Kynnesay in 1471, as vicar of Hitcham, County Norfolk. 3 The Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1525 include George Kynsey and Margaret Kynsee was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Stratford, 1584. 1

John de Kemesie was found in the Pipe Rolls for Sussex in 1206 and John de Kemeseye was listed in Huntingdonshire in 1207. 1

William Chinseie (or Kinssee), from Cheshire was registered at Oxford University in 1586 as was John Kynsey of Cheshire in 1602. 2

Early History of the Kimsey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kimsey research. Another 54 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1595, 1619, 1648, 1788, 1797, 1805, 1809, 1812, 1813, 1819, 1827, 1830, 1850, 1851, 1855, 1856, 1864, 1870, 1875, 1876, 1878 and 1892 are included under the topic Early Kimsey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kimsey 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 Kimsey have been found, including Kinsey, Kynsei, Kynsey, Kinzie, Kincey, Kingsley and others.

Early Notables of the Kimsey family

Distinguished members of the family include William Kingsley, D.D. an English Anglican priest, born in London and educated at Magdalen College, Oxford. He was Archdeacon of Canterbury from 1595 until his death on 29 March 1619.William Morgan Kinsey (1788-1851), was a Welsh divine and traveller, born in 1788 at Abergavenny, Monmouthshire, the son of Robert Morgan Kinsey, solicitor and banker at Abergavenny, and Caroline Hannah, his wife, daughter of Sir James Harington, bart. He matriculated at Oxford on 28 Nov. 1805, became a scholar of Trinity College, graduated B.A. in 1809, and proceeded M.A. in 1813. 4Charles Kingsley (1819-1875), English author...
Another 210 words (15 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kimsey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kimsey Ranking

In the United States, the name Kimsey is the 7,827^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 5

Kimsey 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. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Kimsey, or a variant listed above:

Kimsey Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Hattie Kimsey, aged 44, who immigrated to America, in 1908
Howard W. Kimsey, aged 34, who immigrated to Lathrop, Missouri, in 1921
Ella Kimsey, aged 58, who immigrated to New York, in 1923

Contemporary Notables of the name Kimsey (post 1700) +

James V. "Jim" Kimsey (1939-2016), American co-founder, CEO and the first chairman of internet service provider America Online (AOL)
The Right Reverend Rustin Ray Kimsey (1935-2015), American fifth bishop of the Episcopal Diocese of Eastern Oregon
Clyde Elias "Chad" Kimsey (1906-1942), American Major League Baseball pitcher
Rachel Kimsey (b. 1978), American actress from Tustin, Orange County, California
Christopher Kenneth "Chris" Kimsey, English record producer, mixer and musician, best known for having co-produced The Rolling Stones' Undercover and Steel Wheels albums

Citations +

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
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/