Ketchen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Not surprisingly, the Ketchen surname is thought to have originally been an occupational name for a cook, deriving from the Old English word "cycen."

Early Origins of the Ketchen family

The surname Ketchen was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Early rolls revealed Henry atte Kychene c. 1300 and Richard del Kechin. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists Johannes del Kechyn; Johannes del Kuchyn; and Thomas del Kichyn. 1

Early History of the Ketchen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Ketchen research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1350, 1477 and 1563 are included under the topic Early Ketchen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ketchen Spelling Variations

The name Ketchen, appeared in many references, and from time to time, the surname was spelt Kitchen, Ketchin, Kitching, Kitchiner, Kitchener and others.

Early Notables of the Ketchen family

Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Ketchen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Ketchen family to Ireland

Some of the Ketchen family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ketchen migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Ketchen Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. James Ketchen, Scottish settler from Loxside travelling from Glasgow aboard the ship "Strathfieldsaye" arriving in Port Chalmers, Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 29th April 1858 2

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html