Show ContentsKinman History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Pictish clans of ancient Scotland were the ancestors of the first people to use the name Kinman. It comes from in the barony of Kinghorn in the county of Fife. The surname Kinman belongs to the category of habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Kinman family

The surname Kinman was first found in Fife, at the historic former Royal Burgh of Kinghorn, now a town which derives its name from the Scottish Gaelic Ceann Gronna, meaning "head of the marsh" or "head of the bog." Perhaps best known as the place where King Alexander III of Scotland died, this town is steeped in history including the former castle in Kinghorn which was frequently visited by the Scottish Court in the period of the House of Dunkeld. No trace of the castle can be found today. King Alexander III returned here to see his new wife Yolande of Dreux, but fell from his horse on the way and was found dead on the beach of Pettycur bay.

Early History of the Kinman family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kinman research. Another 120 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1292, 1296, 1513, 1597 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Kinman History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kinman Spelling Variations

Translation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Kinman has appeared Kyngorn, Kinghorn, Kinghorne, Kingorn, Kynghorn, Kyngorne, Kynghorne, Kinghan and many more.

Early Notables of the Kinman family

More information is included under the topic Early Kinman Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kinman Ranking

In the United States, the name Kinman is the 13,245th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1

Ireland Migration of the Kinman family to Ireland

Some of the Kinman family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 84 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Kinman migration to the United States +

Many Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Kinman name:

Kinman Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • John Kinman, who settled in America in 1741
Kinman Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Andrew Kinman, who settled in New York in 1822
  • E. S. Kinman, who settled in Colorado in 1885
  • John Kinman, aged 44, who immigrated to the United States, in 1894
  • S. Kinman, aged 30, who immigrated to the United States, in 1894
  • Michael Kinman, aged 25, who settled in America, in 1897
Kinman Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Jacob Kinman, aged 40, who landed in America from London, in 1904
  • Frank Kinman, aged 28, who settled in America, in 1909
  • Alice Kinman, aged 67, who immigrated to America, in 1909
  • Annie A. Kinman, aged 32, who landed in America, in 1918
  • Charles F. Kinman, aged 37, who immigrated to the United States, in 1918
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Kinman (post 1700) +

  • Seth Kinman (1815-1888), American early settler, hunter and chair maker of Humboldt County, California, he presented an Elk-horn chair to President Lincoln
  • George William Kinman (1862-1927), English Headmaster of Hertford Grammar School (1905 until his death in 1927)


The Kinman Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: A favore regis nomen
Motto Translation: The popularity of the name


  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/


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