Show ContentsKishor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Kishor is an Anglo-Saxon name. The name was originally given to a person who worked as a maker of cuishes, which were pieces of armour to protect the thigh. 1 2

The name is derived from the French word cuisse, meaning the thigh or by extension the Old French word cuissaux which denotes 'cuisses, armour for the thighs.' 3

Early Origins of the Kishor family

The surname Kishor was first found in London where William Kisere was recorded 1224-1226. Later, Richard le Kissere was recorded in 1288 and later again, the Subsidy Rolls for London listed Hugh le Kysser, le Cussere, le Kisehere in 1292, 1294 and 1307 respectively. Further to the north in Yorkshire, Margaret Cusser was listed in 1298. 4

The source "Riley's Memorials of London," lists Walter de Bedefont, kissere, London and Richard le Kissere. 3

Early History of the Kishor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kishor research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1224, 1288, 1292, 1298, 1738, 1750 and 1754 are included under the topic Early Kishor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kishor Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Kishor has appeared include Kisser, Kisere, Kissa, Kissere, Kysser, Cussere, Kishere and many more.

Early Notables of the Kishor family

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

Migration of the Kishor family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Kishor arrived in North America very early: Ananias Krafft Kiser, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732; Christoph Kiser, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1732; Christoff Kiser, who came to Philadelphia in 1732.



  1. Harrison, Henry, Surnames of the United Kingdom: A Concise Etymological Dictionary Baltimore: Geneological Publishing Company, 2013. Print
  2. Smith, Eldson Coles, New Dictionary of American Family Names New York: Harper & Row, 1956. Print
  3. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  4. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)


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