Surname Kinloch - Meaning and Origin
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Kinloch: What does the surname Kinloch mean?
The surname Kinloch is of Scottish origin and is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic personal name “Ceannloch”, derived from “ceann” meaning “head” and “loch” meaning “lake”. The surname may have originally applied to someone who was considered to have been the head or leader of the local lake region. Alternatively, it may have been used to refer to someone who lived on or near a lake.
The earliest recorded reference of the Kinloch family name in Scotland dates back to 1230, when William de Kinloch was granted lands in Kinloch near Kirkintilloch, East Dunbarton. Through the years, the Kinlochs have been prominent in the affairs of the town of Glasgow. In the 18th and 19th centuries, the name was spread to the western coast of Scotland and to various parts of Canada.
Today, the Kinloch surname indicates the bearer’s strong ties to their Scottish ancestry and can be found all over the world. Though the original meaning of the name has been lost, it still carries much significance, representing the history, culture, and traditions of the Kinloch family.
Order DNA origin analysisKinloch: Where does the name Kinloch come from?
The last name Kinloch is most common today in Scotland, particularly in the Central Lowland region. The Kinloch family was a prominent and powerful clan in Scotland from the 12th century onwards, and their stronghold was at Kinloch Castle in Aberdeenshire. Their influence and power eventually spread out from here to other parts of Scotland. Their influence can still be seen in place names and monuments in the Central Lowland area.
Today, the last name Kinloch can be found throughout Scotland, with more than 700 people bearing the name. Edinburgh, Glasgow, and Aberdeen are the cities with the largest number of people with the last name. Other cities with notable numbers of people with the last name include Stirling, Perth, and Dundee.
Across the UK, there are more than 1,100 people with the last name Kinloch. The largest numbers of people with the name are in Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland. Outside the British Isles, there is a small but growing number of people with the name due to immigration and emigration. Some of the countries that today have the last name Kinloch include South Africa, Canada, Australia, and the United States of America.
Variations of the surname Kinloch
The surname Kinloch has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The most common spelling is Kinloch, but it has also been found as MacKinloch, McKinloch, MacKayinloch, MacKaynloch, MacNeloch, and MacKeloch.
An alternate spelling, Clyne, can also be found. This spelling is related to the Clan MacLennan, which is linked to the Surname Kinloch.
In Scotland, the surname Kinloch can be found as McCinloch, McCinlwe, McConleach, and Sonley. McCinloch is derived from the root Mac-meaning son of or clan of and Cinloch meaning ‘head of the lake’ or ‘head of the loch.’
In England, the surname Kinloch is also found as Quynloch or Quinloch which is derived from the Old Two French ‘quain’ meaning ‘wise.’ In Ireland, the surname Kinloch is often Anglicized to Kinlock. This version of the surname is derived from the Gaelic ‘Mac Giolla Chonnlaigh’ which means ‘Son of the Devotee of Connlach.’
The surname Kinloch is also found in Germany, where it is recorded as Mack-Konloch or König. This version of the surname can be traced back to the German family of König, which is thought to be a derivative of the Princess Konigunda.
The surname Kinloch is derived from the Scottish Gaelic ‘cin’ meaning ‘head’ or ‘end,’ and ‘loc’ meaning ‘lake’ or ‘loch’, thus translating to ‘at the end of the lake.’ This surname is of Ancient Scottish origin and is most common in Scotland, England, Ireland, and Germany. It has several variants, spellings, and related surnames.
Famous people with the name Kinloch
- Bruce Kinloch: Member of Nationals Scotland and former Deputy Leader.
- Inga Beale: Former CEO of Lloyd’s of London and currently Chair of the UK’s Pension Protection Fund.
- Emma Kinloch: American photographer and curator.
- Liz Kinloch: Member of Parliament for Bristol East, since 2017.
- Robert Kinloch: Leader of the Opposition for the Scottish Liberal Democrats from 1988 to 1990.
- Juliette Kinloch: British fashion designer, former Creative Director of Ossie Clark.
- Jean Kinloch: Award-winning British sculptor and printmaker.
- William Kinloch: 18th-century British officer involved with the East India Company.
- John Kinloch: Member of Parliament for Glasgow Pollok from 1996 to 2001.
- Gaylord Kinloch: 19th-century Scottish chemist.