MacKitt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name MacKitt is tied to the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of England. It comes from Kit, a diminutive of the name Christopher. After the Norman Conquest of 1066, Old English personal names declined in popularity to be replaced by the new Christian names that they brought with them. One of these was Christopher.

Early Origins of the MacKitt family

The surname MacKitt was first found in Yorkshire where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the MacKitt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacKitt research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1270, 1359, 1485, 1520, 1540, 1835, 1907 and 1911 are included under the topic Early MacKitt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacKitt Spelling Variations

Only recently has spelling become standardized in the English language. As the English language evolved in the Middle Ages, the spelling of names changed also. The name MacKitt has undergone many spelling variations, including Kitson, Kidson, Kydson, MacKett, MacCeit and others.

Early Notables of the MacKitt family

Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacKitt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacKitt family to Ireland

Some of the MacKitt 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.

MacKitt 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:

MacKitt Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Stephen Mackitt, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hannibal" in 1875
Alice Mackitt, aged 22, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hannibal" in 1875