Origin of the surname Kindred

This unusual surname, recorded in English Church Registers from the mid 16th Century under the variant spellings Kenryd, Kendred, Kinrade, Kyndred and Kindread, derives from a rare Anglo-Saxon male given name "Cenered", composed of the elements "cene, cen", bold, brave, proud, which became "kene" in Middle English (1200 - 1500), and raed", counsel; hence, "bold-counsel". This initial element is also found in the Olde English pre 7th Century "Cenwig", a name meaning "bold war", from which stems the modern surname Kenway, and in "Cenweard", "bold-guardian", source of the surnames Kenward and Kennard.

The latter element "raed" occurs in "Ealdraed", noble-counsel, giving the surnames Allred and Alred. Pre 7th Century Anglo-Saxon and Old Norse baptismal names were usually distinctive compounds whose elements were often associated with the Gods of Fire, Water and War, or composed of disparate elements. On December 8th 1583, Myghell, son of Gregory Kendred, was christened at St. Andrew's, Holborn, London, and on July 25th 1589, the christening of Thomazain, daughter of Elizabeth Kindred, took place at Worlingham, Suffolk. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Wyllm Kenryd, which was dated October 9th 1542, witness at the christening of his son, Stephen, at Kelsale, Suffolk, during the reign of King Henry V111, known as "Bluff King Hal", 1509 - 1547. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

The surname Kindred. Genealogy, origin, history, meaning, and significance

The origin, the coat of arms or the different heraldic shields, and the bibliography in which the surname kindred is mentioned are part of this exciting investigation. Adhering to what we know about the way surnames originated, it is possible to offer a realistic explanation of the origins of kindred.

The surname Kindred around the world

The list of countries with a higher presence of people with the surname kindred provides us with a perspective on the history of the surname, beyond its origins, focusing on its migrations.

History of Kindred

For those like you, who are interested in the history hidden behind the surname kindred, it is essential to find all kinds of information, both direct and tangential, that helps to construct a solid narrative of how the birth and expansion of kindred developed. In the following lines, you will find everything we have been able to gather about the surname kindred.

We keep our website updated through our own research and also thanks to contributions from people like you, after verification; so if you have information about kindred and send it to us, we will update it on this website.

Notable Figures Named Kindred

Sadly, not all the contributions of those who bore the surname kindred were recorded by the chroniclers of the time. If you or someone you know bears the surname kindred, you could potentially build illustrious lineages through your efforts and virtues.

The surname Kindred and its bibliographic sources

The origin, history, coat of arms or different coats of arms, and the heraldry of kindred are recorded in a wide variety of sources and documents that are essential to know for better compilation. Accessing the archives of the town or towns where your ancestors were born and lived is, of course, a good way to trace the origins of kindred.

SOURCES

These sources are essential for initiating the understanding of kindred, and at the same time, of surnames in general.

Origin of Kindred