Surname Kimbley - Meaning and Origin

Kimbley: What does the surname Kimbley mean?

The surname Kimbley is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from two Old English pre-7th century words: "cyne", meaning royal, and "beorg", meaning hill. So, it can be interpreted as "royal hill". It is assumed that the name was initially a geographical surname for individuals who lived near a regal hill. The surname was first observed in various forms in the 12th and 13th centuries in the Buckinghamshire region of England. Over the years, it has several different spellings, including Kimble, Kimblere, and Kimbell. As the centuries progressed, family members emigrated and the name Kimbley spread to other countries, such as the United States of America.

Kimbley: Where does the name Kimbley come from?

The surname Kimbley is of English origin. It is derived from the Old English pre-7th Century 'Cynebeald' denoting 'royal brave'. This name is primarily associated with towns 'Kimble' in Buckinghamshire, which were known in the Old English period as 'Cynemaerdesbyrig'.

The name has evolved over time in many forms, including Kymbel, Kymbold, Kimbal, Kimbel, Kimbell, Kimble, Kemboll, and naturally, Kimbley. While it originates from England, through migration and expansion, the name has spread across the world, just as with many other surnames.

Today, it is not specifically common in any one region, but it can definitely be found more frequently in English-speaking countries like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, it remains a relatively rare surname overall. As with any name, its distribution is subject to shifts over generations due to factors like migration, marriage, and the changing of surnames.

Variations of the surname Kimbley

The surname Kimbley could have various spellings, transliterations, and variants depending on the geographical location and language. Some of these may include: Kimbly, Kimblee, Kimberley, Kimble, Kimbaley, Kimball, Kimbal, Kimberlee, Kimbel, Kimbell, Kimbla, and Kimbleigh.

The surname could possibly derive from a locational name for someone from any of various places in England, such as Kimble in Buckinghamshire or Kembles in Shropshire. The variants of the surname can be observed in some old English manuscripts dating back to medieval times, written in an era when rules for spelling were lax. Thus, spellings of surnames were modified frequently even within the same document. Other potential variants of the name could be influenced by factors such as: translation into different languages, Anglicization of non-English names, and altered spelling to break association with a notorious family member.

It is also possible that the name Kimbley could have been affected by patronymic, matronymic or metronymic surname traditions, where the surname changes with every generation, leading to numerous potential branches and variations.

Famous people with the name Kimbley

• Kattie Kimbley, Former Miss USA and Reality TV Star
• Maile Kimbley-Muheim, Award-Winning Scientist and Expert in Energy Storage Technology
• Dean Kimbley, Former US Navy SEAL and Best-selling Author
• Patrick Kimbley, Award-winning US Paralympian
• Sam Kimbley, Singer-Songwriter and Music Producer
• Julie Kimbley, Emmy Award-winning Actress and Television Personality
• Stephen Kimbley, Award-winning Art Director and Digital Media Expert
• Michael Kimbley, Grammy Award-winning Music Producer and Recording Artist
• Hayley Kimbley, Award-winning Filmmaker and Documentary Producer
• Weston Kimbley, International Model and Fashion Influencer

Other surnames

Kimble