Show ContentsKissere History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The name Kissere finds its origins with the ancient Anglo-Saxons of England. It was given to one who worked as 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 Kissere family

The surname Kissere 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 Kissere family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kissere 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 Kissere History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kissere Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore, spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Kissere has been recorded under many different variations, including Kisser, Kisere, Kissa, Kissere, Kysser, Cussere, Kishere and many more.

Early Notables of the Kissere family

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

Migration of the Kissere family

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Kissere or a variant listed above: 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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