Kissing History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins and Etymology of Kissing

The surname Kissing was first found in Norfolk at Gissing, a village and civil parish in the union of Depwade, hundred of Diss. The village dates back to the Domesday Book of 1086 where it was first listed as Gessinga 1 and literally meant "settlement of the family or followers of a man called Gyssa or Gyssi," from the Old English personal name + "-ingas." 2 Gissing Hall is a 15th century mansion in the village of Gissing and today is operated as a hotel and restaurant. The Church of St Mary dates back to c. 1204 and is one of the 124 existing round-tower churches in Norfolk. Conjecturally, the surname is descended from the tenant of the village and lands of Gissing, held by Godric from the King, who was recorded in the Domesday Book census of 1086.

Early History of the Kissing family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kissing research. Another 55 words (4 lines of text) covering the years 1195 and 1273 are included under the topic Early Kissing History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kissing Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Gissing, Giseing, Gissin, Gissinge, Gissink, Gyssing, Gysing and many more.

Early Notables of the Kissing family

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

Migration of the Kissing family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..

Sources +

Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)