Surname Kip - Meaning and Origin

Kip: What does the surname Kip mean?

The surname Kip is of Dutch origin and is derived from the personal name "Kip", likely used as a nickname for a frisky or lively person, from an old Dutch word for a young chicken or a hen. It's also believed to be a topographic name for someone who lived near a henhouse. In some cases, Kip could be an occupational name for a person who raised or took care of chickens. Additionally, it can be of English origin, where the old northern English word ‘Kipp’ meaning pointed hill, could have been used to denote someone who lived by such a geographical feature. So, while the specific meaning can depend on geographical and cultural context, the common theme is related to either a characteristic of liveliness or location, such as a chicken coop or pointed hill.

Kip: Where does the name Kip come from?

The surname Kip is of Dutch origin and was initially used as an occupational name for someone who made or sold pointy objects such as spears or pikes. The word 'kip' in Dutch means 'sharp point'. Its usage as a surname dates back to the Middle Ages.

The Kip family lineage in the United States traces back to Dutch colonists in the early 17th century. One of the first settlers bearing this name was Hendrick Hendricksen Kip, who arrived in New Netherland from Holland in 1637.

Today, the Kip surname is somewhat common in the Netherlands and the United States, specifically within the region influenced by the Dutch community. It is also found in modest concentrations in Canada and the United Kingdom. In the past few decades, the name Kip has also become prevalent in Kenya, but it is important to note that in an African context, 'Kip' is often a prefix for common Kalenjin names, rather than a surname.

Variations of the surname Kip

The surname Kip originated from The Netherlands and is related to the name Kipp. The name Kip is derived from the Middle Low German word "Kippe," which can be translated into English as "chicken hen." It was originally a nickname or occupational name for a chicken keeper. Over the years, there have been many spellings and variants of the name.

Some of these variants include Kipp, Kipper, and van Kip. Other known versions are Kippe, Keep, and Kippes. Additional variants on the surname may exist in other countries, influenced by local languages and dialects. Some people bearing the surname Kip may also have anglicised or modified it upon emigrating to English-speaking countries, producing variations such as Kippson.

Names of the same origin may include "Kippen," a surname rooted in the Scottish and Dutch terms for "hill" but could also refer to chicken rearing.

Please note that personal deviations, spelling errors and anglicisations may lead to the creation of additional surname variations. Therefore, the above-mentioned variants and similar surnames may not encompass all potential spellings of the surname Kip.

Famous people with the name Kip

• Kip Anderson: Soul and Rock and Roll musician.
• Kip Carpenter: American speed skater
• Kip Fulbeck: Artist and filmmaker
• Kip Gamblin: Australian actor
• Kip Harding: American professional surfer
• Kip Keino: Kenyan athlete
• Kip Kraeger: American songwriter
• Kip Moore: Country music singer
• Kip Thorne: Nobel Prize-winning American theoretical physicist
• Kip Tokuda: American politician
• Kip Winger: Rock musician
• Kip Addotta: American comedy musician
• Kip Elliott: American NFL Football Player
• Kipchoge Keino: Kenyan Olympic athlete
• Kipchoge "Kip" Kirkpatrick: American professional golfer
• Kip Lynch: American actor, comedian, writer, and producer
• Kip Wells: American Major League Baseball player
• Kipchoge "Kip" Simons: American Major League Baseball player
• Kip Pardue: American actor
• Kipchoge Hezekiah "Kip" Martin: American professional basketball player

Other surnames

KiperKiphardKiphardtKiphartKiplingKipp