Kimberley History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

The ancestors of the name Kimberley date back to the days of the Anglo-Saxon tribes of Britain. The name is derived from their residence in the parish of Kimberley located in the counties of Norfolk and Nottinghamshire.

Early Origins of the Kimberley family

The surname Kimberley was first found in Nottinghamshire, where evidence suggests they held a family seat before the Norman Conquest.

Early History of the Kimberley family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kimberley research. Another 118 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1086, 1300, 1308, 1571, 1639 and 1709 are included under the topic Early Kimberley History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kimberley Spelling Variations

Kimberley has been spelled many different ways. Before English spelling became standardized over the last few hundred years, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. As the English language changed in the Middle Ages, absorbing pieces of Latin and French, as well as other languages, the spelling of people's names also changed considerably, even over a single lifetime. Many variations of the name Kimberley have been found, including Kimberly, Kimberley, Kynmerley, imberle, Kymberly and many more.

Early Notables of the Kimberley family

Another 37 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kimberley Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kimberley migration to the United States +

In an attempt to escape the chaos experienced in England, many English families boarded overcrowded and diseased ships sailing for the shores of North America and other British colonies. Those families hardy enough, and lucky enough, to make the passage intact were rewarded with land and a social environment less prone to religious and political persecution. Many of these families became important contributors to the young colonies in which they settled. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first Kimberleys to arrive on North American shores:

Kimberley Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Thomas Kimberley, who sailed to New England in 1635

Kimberley migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Kimberley Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Charles Kimberley, English convict who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Exmouth" on 3rd March 1831, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 1
Mr. William Kimberley, English convict who was convicted in Worcester, Worcestershire, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Enchantress"on 6th April 1833, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 2

Kimberley 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:

Kimberley Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Charles Kimberley, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lorraine" in 1878
Kate Kimberley, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lorraine" in 1878
Matilda Kimberley, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lorraine" in 1878
Winifred Kimberley, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lorraine" in 1878
Catherine Kimberley, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Lorraine" in 1878

Contemporary Notables of the name Kimberley (post 1700) +

Barry Robert Kimberley (b. 1957), Australian rules footballer who played from 1979 to 1986, awarded the 1984 Simpson Medal
Kimberley "Kim" Maxwell Yeadon (b. 1956), former Australian politician, who served as a member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly from 1990 to 2007
Kimberley Jane Elizabeth Kitching (1970-2022), Australian politician, lawyer, and trade unionist, Senator for Victoria from October 2016 until her death
Kimberley Ann Estrop- Leggett (b. 1993), Malaysian beauty pageant titleholder, Miss Universe Malaysia 2012
Kimberley Dianne "Kim" Shattuck (b. 1963), American lead singer and guitarist of the band The Muffs
Kimberley Mickle (b. 1984), Australian two-time gold medalist javelin thrower
Kimberley Conradt (b. 1962), birth name of Kimberley Conrad, American model and actress, former wife of Hugh Hefner
Kimberley Nixon (b. 1985), Welsh actress
Kimberley "Kim" Isaac Moyes (b. 1976), Australian member of a Sydney-based electronica duo, The Presets, winner of six ARIA Music Awards
Kimberley Busteed (b. 1988), Australian beauty pageant titleholder, Miss Australia 2007

Citations +

Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th May 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/exmouth
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th April 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/enchantress