Show ContentsKele History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Kele Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Kele

What does the name Kele mean?

The Kele name has descended through the generations from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture. Their name comes from having lived near a well or spring; keld was a common word in the north of England for these. According to some experts, the surname Kele is also occasionally derived from the Old Norse word ketill, which means cauldron and sometimes refers to such an object used in sacrificial rites. 1

Early Origins of the Kele family

The surname Kele was first found in Hampshire, but the name could have derived from the place name Keld of which there are two in England: Keld (or Keilde), a hamlet in Cumbria; and Keld, another hamlet in North Yorkshire. Another reference claims the name was "formerly written Cail, and said by the family to be derived from Cailly in Normandy. " 2

Early History of the Kele family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kele research. Another 158 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1176, 1311, 1379, 1524, 1739 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Kele History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kele 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 Kele has undergone many spelling variations, including Kell, Kel, Kelle, Keld and others.

Early Notables of the Kele family

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

Migration of the Kele family to Ireland

Some of the Kele family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kele family

To escape the unstable social climate in England of this time, many families boarded ships for the New World with the hope of finding land, opportunity, and greater religious and political freedom. Although the voyages were expensive, crowded, and difficult, those families that arrived often found greater opportunities and freedoms than they could have experienced at home. Many of those families went on to make significant contributions to the rapidly developing colonies in which they settled. Early North American records indicate many people bearing the name Kele were among those contributors: Neil Kell, who sailed to America in 1685. David Kell sailed to Philadelphia in 1742; Hugh Kell to Boston in 1766 and John Kell to New York in 1811.
  1. Hanks, Patricia and Flavia Hodges, A Dictionary of Surnames. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1988. Print. (ISBN 0-19-211592-8)
  2. Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.

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