Kingdum History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

Cornwall in southwestern England provides the original birthplace of the surname Kingdum. As populations grew, people began to assume an extra name to avoid confusion and to further identify themselves. Unlike most Celtic peoples, who favored patronymic names, the Cornish predominantly used local surnames. This was due to the heavy political and cultural influence of the English upon the Cornish People at the time that surnames first came into use. Local surnames were derived from where a person lived, held land, or was born. While many Cornish surnames of this sort appear to be topographic surnames, which were given to people who resided near physical features such as hills, streams, churches, or types of trees, many are actually habitation surnames derived from lost or unrecorded place names. The name Kingdum history began in the county of Cornwall, at Kingdon manor. A number of places of this name exist in various counties of England. It translates as the house of the king.

Early Origins of the Kingdum family

The surname Kingdum was first found in the county of Cornwall where they held a family seat from early times.

Early History of the Kingdum family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kingdum research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the year 1462 is included under the topic Early Kingdum History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kingdum Spelling Variations

Cornish surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. The frequent changes in surnames are due to the fact that the Old and Middle English languages lacked definite spelling rules. The official court languages, which were Latin and French, were also influential on the spelling of a surname. Since the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent in medieval times, and scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules, it was common to find the same individual referred to with different spellings of their surname in the ancient chronicles. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into England, which accelerated and accentuated the alterations to the spelling of various surnames. Lastly, spelling variations often resulted from the linguistic differences between the people of Cornwall and the rest of England. The Cornish spoke a unique Brythonic Celtic language which was first recorded in written documents during the 10th century. However, they became increasingly Anglicized, and Cornish became extinct as a spoken language in 1777, although it has been revived by Cornish patriots in the modern era. The name has been spelled Kindon, Kingdon, Kingdom and others.

Early Notables of the Kingdum family

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

Migration of the Kingdum family to Ireland

Some of the Kingdum 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.

Migration of the Kingdum family

A search of the immigration and passenger lists has shown a number of people bearing the name Kingdum: John Kingdon settled in Virginia in 1774; William Kindon landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1876; William Kingdom landed in New York State in 1823 with his wife and child. In Newfoundland, Jessie settled in Englee in 1872..

The Kingdum 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: Regis donum gratum bonum
Motto Translation: A king's gift is pleasant and good.