Show ContentsKitchener History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Not surprisingly, the Kitchener surname is thought to have originally been an occupational name for a cook, deriving from the Old English word "cycen."

Early Origins of the Kitchener family

The surname Kitchener was first found in Lancashire where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Early rolls revealed Henry atte Kychene c. 1300 and Richard del Kechin. The Yorkshire Poll Tax Rolls of 1379 lists Johannes del Kechyn; Johannes del Kuchyn; and Thomas del Kichyn. 1

Early History of the Kitchener family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kitchener research. Another 71 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1350, 1477 and 1563 are included under the topic Early Kitchener History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kitchener Spelling Variations

The name, Kitchener, occurred in many references, and from time to time, it was spelt Kitchen, Ketchin, Kitching, Kitchiner, Kitchener and others.

Early Notables of the Kitchener family

Another 34 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kitchener Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kitchener family to Ireland

Some of the Kitchener 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.


Kitchener migration to the United States +

The New World beckoned settlers from the Scottish-English borders. They sailed aboard the armada of sailing ships known as the "White Sails" which plied the stormy Atlantic. Some called them, less romantically, the "coffin ships." Among the early settlers bearing the Kitchener surname who came to North America were:

Kitchener Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Mary Kitchener, who settled in Virginia in 1767

Contemporary Notables of the name Kitchener (post 1700) +

  • Mrs. Georgina Valerie Kitchener B.E.M., British recipient of the British Empire Medal on 8th June 2018, for services to Sport in Surrey through the Pony Club 2
  • Sir Frederick Walter Kitchener (1858-1912), British soldier and colonial administrator. brother of the 1st and 2nd Earl Kitcheners
  • Horatio Herbert Kitchener (1850-1916), 1st Earl of Kitchener, British field marshal and statesman
  • Henry Kitchener (b. 1919), 3rd Earl Kitchener grandson of the 2nd Earl Kitchener
  • Henry Kitchener (1846-1937), 2nd Earl Kitchener, British soldier, brother of the 1st Earl Kitchener
  • Frank Kitchener Marsh (b. 1916), English footballer who played from 1946 to 1948 for Chester City

HMS Hood
  • Mr. Reginald J Kitchener (b. 1921), English Able Seaman serving for the Royal Navy from Midhurst, Sussex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 3
HMS Royal Oak
  • Ronald Kitchener, British Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking 4


  1. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  2. "Birthday and New Year Honours Lists (1940 to 2019)." Issue 62310, 31 October 2019 | London Gazette, The Gazette, June 2018, https://www.thegazette.co.uk/London/issue/62310/supplement/B1
  3. H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
  4. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html


Houseofnames.com on Facebook