Surname Kite - Meaning and Origin
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Kite: What does the surname Kite mean?
The last name Kite is of English origin and derives from the Middle English word kyte, which is an archaic variant of the word ‘kite’, a type of bird. The OED cites that the first use of the word as a surname dates from 1233. Thus, it is thought that those bearing the name Kite were probably early bird hunters or hawkers, or they may have been involved in the trade of trained hawks.
Alternative etymologies of the name can also be seen in the recorded variants Kett (a diminutive of the Old French knite, meaning small knight), and Kitehead (the traditional English term used for a kind of flat cap). In areas such as East and West Sussex, however, the surname is likely derived from the Old English word cete, meaning ‘a basket’; this suggests that individuals bearing such a name were likely involved in making and selling baskets in Tudor-era England.
The Kite surname is found primarily in northern England, where it is still quite common. Records of the name date back to early-medieval England, and it is also found in the Domesday Book of 1086, meaning that individuals with this surname were likely well-established before the Norman Conquest. Today, there are numerous variants of the Kite name, including Kight, Kiteham, Kithey, Kyett, and Kitten.
Order DNA origin analysisKite: Where does the name Kite come from?
The last name Kite is found mostly in England today, although its origins lie elsewhere in Europe. It is believed to be an Anglo-Saxon name, derived from the old word ‘cyte’, meaning small or short.
This means that the surname likely developed among the people of England. The name was also common in Scotland during the Middle Ages. The Kites were well established in Scotland in the 16th century, when a large number of Kite families were living in the Borders region of Scotland.
Today, Kite is still a common surname in Britain, with more than 14,000 people bearing the name in England and Wales, according to 2019 data from the Office for National Statistics. The greatest concentration of the name is in the South East of England, followed by the East Midlands and the West Midlands. It is also found further afield, in parts of Europe, as well as in Australasia and the United States.
Beyond the British Isles, the name Kite is most prominently found in Germany. As of 2006, there were more than 5,800 Kite-named individuals living in Germany. Lastly, the name has also taken root across South Africa, with more than1,000 people having the surname in the country by 2006.
Variations of the surname Kite
Kite is an English surname that dates back to the 11th century. It is derived from the Old Norse word kveita meaning a small shelter or an enclosed shed. The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for Kite include: Keyt, Kight, Kyte, Kyle, Kiehl, Keys, Keate, Kaine, Kayne, Kaynes, Keen and Kyan.
Kite is also a name used in Scotland where it is derived from the Gaelic Mac an Chait meaning "son of the cat". Variants of the Scottish Kite surname include: Keat, MacKeay, McKeit, McKeith, MacKaig, MacKeit, Kilkeet, and MacDeady.
Kite is most commonly associated with the south of England particularly Devon, Somerset and Cornwall. It was also found in the east of England and in Scotland.
In the United States, Kite is the 7,503th most common surname. American variants of the Kite surname include: Kite, Kight, Kyte, Kytt, Keyt, Keyte, Keyth, and Keyt. The spelling of the name often changed when immigrants arrived in the United States from Europe.
The Kite surname has various derivatives that include: Kee, Kaite, Kysyte, Cate, Kite, Kiet, Kett, Cutte, Kates, Kates, and Kaith. As the years have gone by, spellings have changed and the surname can be found as Cator, Catters, Cotter, Quee, and Catour.
Famous people with the name Kite
- Jason Kite: a prominent American actor known for his versatility.
- Fanny Kite: an American singer and songwriter who has been active since the mid-1980s.
- Iggy Kite: British rapper and songwriter known for his witty lyrics and catchy beats.
- Jean Kite: Canadian Olympian and former professional ice hockey player best known for his time in the NHL.
- Wesley Kite: an American rock musician and composer who has been active since the mid-1980s.
- Georgia Kite: an American artist whose work blends Abstract Expressionism, Pop Art, and Japanese anime.
- Anastasia Kite: a Russian fashion designer and entrepreneur.
- Andre Kite: a Netherlands-based songwriter and record producer, known for his contributions to the house music scene.
- Sara Kite: a British folk singer and songwriter.
- Jack Kite: an English jazz musician and composer.