Kemm History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Etymology of Kemm

What does the name Kemm mean?

The name Kemm was brought to England in the wave of migration that followed the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Kemm family lived in Lincolnshire. The surname comes from one of two places in Lincolnshire which bear the name Kyme: South Kyme and North Kyme, both in the vicinity of Tattershall. 1

Early Origins of the Kemm family

The surname Kemm was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Kestevan. At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book census in 1086 initiated by Duke William of Normandy after his conquest of England in 1066, the holdings are not shown but later, within the next century, it was recorded as the Honour of Kymes. 2

"This parish, which is situated on that part of the Sleaford navigation called Kyme Eau, derived its name from the Kyme family, who were barons by tenure and writ in the reign of Stephen, and had a seat here, mentioned by Leland as a 'goodly house and park,' of which only the tower now remains." 1

Sir William, the founder of the family, also founded the Priory of Bolinton about 1135. "The Kymes assumed the surname from a fair lordship, the principal place of their residence in Kesteven. " 3

Sir Philip de Kyme was the first officially recorded, succeeded by his son Sir William de Kyme. Sir Philip was Baron Kyme, Lord of the Manor, and was summoned to Parliament in 1295-1313 to represent Lincolnshire. Sir William was summoned to Parliament in 1323-1336.

Early History of the Kemm family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kemm research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1160, 1412, 1413, 1414, 1420, 1422, 1427, 1428, 1431, 1433, 1455, 1463 and 1530 are included under the topic Early Kemm History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kemm Spelling Variations

Spelling variations in names were a common occurrence in the eras before English spelling was standardized a few hundred years ago. In the Middle Ages, even the literate regularly changed the spellings of their names as the English language incorporated elements of French, Latin, and other European languages. Many variations of the name Kemm have been found, including Kimes, Kymes, Kyme, Kime and others.

Early Notables of the Kemm family

Gilbert Kymer (died 1463), an early English educator and physician, Dean of Salisbury, Chancellor of the University of Oxford. was educated at Durham College, on the site of which the present Trinity College stands. He graduated as master of arts and philosophy, bachelor of laws, and doctor of medicine previously to 1420 (Tanner). In 1412-1413 he served the office of proctor, and from 1412 to 1414 was principal of Hart Hall. On 16 Dec. 1420, being still a layman, he was presented to the living of Lutterworth, Leicestershire, by William, lord Ferrers of Groby; this preferment he resigned in 1422...
Another 99 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kemm Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kemm migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia included the Second Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Second Fleet

Mr. William Kemm, (Kern), British settler convicted in Nottinghamshire, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Third Fleet" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 4

Sources +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships