Surname Kimmich - Meaning and Origin

Kimmich: What does the surname Kimmich mean?

The last name Kimmich is a German name derived from a nickname or pet form of the medieval German name Conrad. The word is believed to originate from the High German “kimme” meaning brave and bold. It is thought that the name may have initially been given as a title to an ironworker or smelter, as “kimme” was also often used to refer to a blacksmith.

In Germany, the name Kimmich was first found in Bavaria, where it was associated with several noble families and the title of Ritter von Kimmich. There are records of the surname being used in this region as early as the 13th century. Over the centuries the family have spread throughout Germany and throughout the world.

Today the Kimmich surname is still well represented in Germany, particularly in the Bavarian region. Elsewhere, there are Kimmich families in the USA, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia and New Zealand. In some countries, such as the United States, the name has been changed to Kimmitt or Kimmet.

Kimmich is more than just a surname, it is a testament to the courage and loyalty of generations of German forebears. It is also a reminder of the determined spirit of immigrants who believed that a better life lay in a foreign land. It is a name and legacy to carry proudly.

Kimmich: Where does the name Kimmich come from?

The last name Kimmich is most common in the country of Germany. It is a fairly common last name throughout Germany, but is most common in the region of Bavaria. This is likely due to there being many Kimmichs living in this region for generations, leading to the increased concentration of the last name.

The Kimmichs of Bavaria are likely descended from the 16th century Kimmich family of Rösen in Uckermark. The family name was likely derived from a local river, the Kimme, which flows through the area. The first mention of the Kimmich family name in Germany is recorded in the town of Schleisen in 1497.

Today, members of the Kimmich family are spread all across Germany, with many well-known members such as footballer Joshua Kimmich and actor Georg Kimmich. There are also Kimmich families living in other parts of the world such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, where they would have migrated out of Germany over the last few centuries.

Variations of the surname Kimmich

The surname Kimmich is of German origin and its variants include Kimmig, Kümmig, Kümillich and Kümmlich. In some cases, the name has also been Anglicized to Kimmitt.

The original German spelling of Kimmich is Kümmich, which is a short form of the Germanic name Kümmel, meaning “cumin”. Over time, the spelling has evolved to include various versions of Kimmich such as Kimig, Kimit, Kümmig, Kümillich, and Kümmlich. The most common variant in Germany and Austria is still Kümmich.

In countries such as the United States, Canada, and the United Kingdom, the surname has been Anglicized to Kimmitt. Furthermore, the surname has also been Americanized to Kimmick and Kymick.

The surname Kümmich is most prevalent in Germany and Austria, while its variants Kimicht, Kümmel, and Koummel are mainly found in France and Luxemburg.

The surname Kimmich also appears as a Jewish surname. Many Jewish people were expelled from Germany in the early 19th century, and some of them kept the surname Kimmich with other variations like Kümmel, Kümillich, and Koummel.

Overall, the surname Kimmich and its variants are all derived from the Germanic name “Kümmel”, which means cumin. It has evolved to include various spellings in different countries, including Kimmick and Kimmitt in North America, Kymick in the United Kingdom, and Kümmel and Koummel in France and Luxemburg. Furthermore, some of its variants such as Kümmel, Kümillich, and Koummel are also associated with Jewish families who were expelled from Germany in the early 19th century.

Famous people with the name Kimmich

• Joshua Kimmich: German footballer. He currently plays for Bayern Munich and has been part of the squad since 2015. He has also been part of the German national team since 2017 and won the UEFA Champions League title with Bayern in 2020.
• Bobbi Jo Kimmich: American voice actor, singer and Glee cast member. She has contributed to various game and television projects, including the hit TV series Glee and video games such as Red Dead Redemption.
• Eric Kimmich: American professional skateboarder and co-founder of the This Is Not and Falls Army skate crew. He is the subject of a feature length movie, Skater-Dude: The Rise and Fall of Eric Kimmich.
• Gary Kimmich: German educator, author and artist. He is the author of the book Brain Performance Improvement and has lectured on the subject at universities across the world.
• Ryan Kimmich: American actor who has appeared in films such as Home Alone, Con Air and The New Guy. He also appeared in a recurring role in the popular TV series That '70s Show.
• Clint Kimmich: American country music artist and songwriter. He has been a Nashville Writing Room favorite with cuts on various artists' albums, as well as writing credits with artist such as Lady Antebellum.
• Ryan Kimmich: Retired Major League Baseball pitcher who played for the Milwaukee Brewers and the Tampa Bay Rays. He is the brother of Bobbi Jo Kimmich.

Other surnames

KimmigKimmins