Surname Kimmins - Meaning and Origin

Kimmins: What does the surname Kimmins mean?

The last name Kimmins is of English and Irish origin. It is thought to be derived from the assumed name Kemyn, which is an anglicised form of the Irish Gaelic name Mac Cioman. Cioman was a diminutive of the Gaelic name caomhan which means ‘handsome’. This would suggest that Kimmins is a name associated with good looks.

The Kimmins family originated in County Cork, Ireland, spreading to various parts of England in the middle ages. It is likely that the Kimmins name was adopted by some individuals who moved into England from Ireland. The Kimmins family is still found in many parts of the UK, and is particularly common in London.

Kimmins is also found as a surname in various other countries. It is fairly widely used in Australia and Canada, and also in other countries throughout the world. The variations of this surname include Kimmins, Khamins, Kymins, Kimmin, and Kemins.

The meaning of the name Kimmins is most likely the same as it was when it was first adopted - a handsome and good looking individual.

Kimmins: Where does the name Kimmins come from?

The surname Kimmins is most common in the United Kingdom where it is most widely found in England. It is also found in Scotland, but to a much lesser extent than in England. Additionally, the name is also found in other countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States, as well as in South Africa and New Zealand.

In England, the name is most common in the counties of Hampshire, Wiltshire, and Dorset, with a particularly significant presence in London. Other parts of England with a higher concentration of Kimmins families include Northamptonshire, Cornwall, Devonshire, and Staffordshire.

When looked at more closely at a local level, the highest concentration of people with the surname Kimmins is located in the cities of Southampton, Portsmouth, Salisbury, Bournemouth, and Bristol. This corresponds with the highest concentration of Kimmins families in England being in the South West of the country.

The surname is still found in some of these regions today. Due to migration throughout the centuries, it is also possible to find Kimmins families around the world, particularly in the English-speaking world. This is largely due to the fact that many British citizens have chosen to emigrate to different countries over the years, meaning that it is possible to find Kimmins families in many places.

Variations of the surname Kimmins

Kimmins is a surname of English origin. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin are Kummin, Cummins, Kimmin, Cummens, Cumin, Kummings, Cummin, Kummen, and Kimmens.

Kimmins is derived from the Old English personal name Cymen, a diminutive form of Cuma, which had a plethora of meanings such as ‘to come together’, ‘common’, ‘arrival’, ‘welcome’, and ‘stranger’ among others. The Old English term ēacen (‘oak tree’) also had influence on the surname.

The etymology of the surname in its various forms further conveys an aura of warmth and hospitality. For instance, Kummen, derived from the Old Norse term kumba (‘to come’), was likely used by newcomers or travelers and those seeking solace.

The various spellings, variants and surnames of the same origin for Kimmins are mostly found in the United States, parts of the United Kingdom, Canada, South Africa, and Australia.

The numerous spellings and surnames convey the same meaning, and their geographical commonness indicates that many people may have unknowingly adopted one of the variants of the surname in the past. This suggests that some surnames, such as Kimmins, may be closely related to each other than is commonly thought.

Famous people with the name Kimmins

• Stanford Kimmins: This Canadian actor is well known for his roles in the films A Christmas Story (1983) and The Christmas Toy (1986).
• Richard Kimmins: This British actor has starred in many popular productions, including Where Angels Fear to Tread (1991), Planes, Trains and Automobiles (1987), and Harvey (1950).
• William H. Kimmins: He was an American engineer who worked for the federal government in the 1930s and 1940s, most notably on the construction of the Hoover Dam.
• Mark Kimmins: This Canadian actor can be seen in such works as the hit TV series The Dead Zone (2002-07) and the box office smash Aliens vs. Predator: Requiem (2007).
• Sommer Kimmins: American actress, producer, and director, she is best known for her roles in Escape to Witch Mountain (1975), Blue City (1986), and Steel Magnolias (1989).
• Bruce Kimmins: This British actor was in a number of theatre and film productions, including Johnny English Strikes Again (2018), Frog Dreaming (1986), and Longitude (2000).
• Justin Kimmins: Australian actor, best known for his roles in The Castle (1997), Better Than Sex (2000), and the television series Farscape (1999-2003).
• Sandra Kimmins: English musicologist, music editor, and professor, she has been teaching at the University of Western Ontario since 1984.
• Suzi Kimmins: South Korean singer and actress who has performed on shows such as We Got Married and Immortal Songs.

Other surnames

KimmichKimmig