Kitchings History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

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

Early Origins of the Kitchings family

The surname Kitchings 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 Kitchings family

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

Kitchings Spelling Variations

During the era when a person's name, tribe and posterity was one of his most important possessions, many different spellings were found in the archives examined. Kitchings occurred in many references, and spelling variations of the name found included Kitchen, Ketchin, Kitching, Kitchiner, Kitchener and others.

Early Notables of the Kitchings family

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

Migration of the Kitchings family to Ireland

Some of the Kitchings 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 Kitchings family

Gradually becoming disenchanted with life in Ireland many of these uprooted families sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. These overcrowded ships often arrived with only 60 to 70% of their original passenger list, many dying of illness and the elements, were buried at sea. In North America, early immigrants bearing the family name Kitchings, or a spelling variation of the surname include: John Kitchen, who settled in Salem in 1630; Nicholas Kitchen settled in Barbados in 1654; Joseph Kitchin settled in Virginia in 1635; John Kitchin settled in New England in 1635.

Contemporary Notables of the name Kitchings (post 1700) +

Grant Kitchings (1938-2005), American singer, best known as a member of the Ravens in the 1970s, and later a member of the Drifters

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)