Kellit History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The ancestors of the bearers of the Kellit family name are thought have lived in ancient Anglo-Saxon England. They were first found in the settlement of Kellet in Lancashire, or in the place named Kelleth in Westmorland (now part of Cumbria). The surname Kellit belongs to the large category of Anglo-Saxon habitation names, which are derived from pre-existing names for towns, villages, parishes, or farmsteads.

Early Origins of the Kellit family

The surname Kellit was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat as Lords of the manor of Kellett, from very ancient times. Conjecturally they are descended from an Anglo Saxon noble who occupied the King's land of Chellet, later Kellet, later Nether Kellet. It is now famous for its stalactite caves called the Dunald Mill Hole. Over Kellet, Lancashire appears as "Chellet of the Domesday Survey, and was an early a possession of a family named Kellet, whose heiress married Sir Thurstan de Holland." 1

Early History of the Kellit family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kellit research. Another 70 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1550 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Kellit History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kellit Spelling Variations

Until quite recently, the English language has lacked a definite system of spelling rules. Consequently, Anglo-Saxon surnames are characterized by a multitude of spelling variations. Changes in Anglo-Saxon names were influenced by the evolution of the English language, as it incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other languages. Although Medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, so it is common to find one person referred to by several different spellings of his surname, even the most literate people varied the spelling of their own names. Variations of the name Kellit include Kelett, Kellet, Kellett, Kelat, Kelatt, Kellatt and others.

Early Notables of the Kellit family

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

Migration of the Kellit family to Ireland

Some of the Kellit family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 72 words (5 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 Kellit family

Searching for a better life, many English families migrated to British colonies. Unfortunately, the majority of them traveled under extremely harsh conditions: overcrowding on the ships caused the majority of the immigrants to arrive diseased, famished, and destitute from the long journey across the ocean. For those families that arrived safely, modest prosperity was attainable, and many went on to make invaluable contributions to the development of the cultures of the new colonies. Research into the origins of individual families in North America revealed records of the immigration of a number of people bearing the name Kellit or a variant listed above: Francis Kellet who settled in Charles Town [Charleston], South Carolina in 1768; John Kellett who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1839; followed by Richard Kellett in 1871..