Surname Kimbrough - Meaning and Origin
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Unlocking My Heritage: Insights into the Origin and History of the Surname Kimbrough through an iGENEA DNA Test
The iGENEA DNA test reveals fascinating insights into the history and cultural context of my surname, Kimbrough. Rooting back to the Anglo-Saxon tribes in ancient Britain, the surname is derived from 'Cyn(e)' and 'burgh,' meaning 'royal fort.' It is fascinating to discover the diverse cultural influences on my lineage and witness the evolution of my surname over centuries.
O. Kimbrough
read moreKimbrough: What does the surname Kimbrough mean?
Kimbrough is a surname of English origin, specifically from the Anglo-Saxon culture. It is a geographical or locational surname, representing families that hail from a place named Kimbrough in England. The name Kimbrough is derived from the Old English elements "cimb" meaning "comb, ridge" and "burh" meaning "fort" or "fortified place." Therefore, it can be interpreted as "fort on the ridge" or "fortified place on the ridge". This suggests that the original bearers of this surname likely lived or were born in such a location. Geographical surnames like Kimbrough were often given to individuals who moved from their birthplace, serving to identify them. Over time, as families adopted surnames for the purpose of legal identification, the name Kimbrough endured. However, like many surnames, variations in spelling and pronunciation have surfaced over generations and due to regional differences.
Order DNA origin analysisKimbrough: Where does the name Kimbrough come from?
The surname Kimbrough is of English origin, denoting geographic roots from a location known as Kimbrough in the county of Yorkshire, England. The spelling variations in old English manuscripts include Kembrough, Kembrow, and Kimbrow. The name is believed to have derived from "Cyneburg," an old English personal name, or possibly from "cyne-burh," meaning "royal fortress."
Following the British colonization period, the name was carried to various regions across the world, including the United States, Canada, and Australia. Today, the surname Kimbrough is especially common in the United States. Specifically, it is more prevalent in southern regions like Alabama, Georgia, and Mississippi due to historical population movements and settlement patterns. Although it is not a particularly common last name overall, as per the U.S. 2000 Census, it ranks as the 2,135th most common surname in the United States.
Variations of the surname Kimbrough
The surname Kimbrough is of English origin and derives from a place name, specifically from the region of Kimberley in Norfolk, England. Over time, as the surname migrated and evolved, many spelling variations have come into existence. These include Kimbrough, Kimbro, Kimbrow, Kimborough, Kimbrel, Kimbral, Kimbriel, and Kimbrill.
In addition to these, there are also some variations with an added suffix or prefix like deKimberley, Kimberlin, Kimberley, Kimberlie, and Kimberleigh. It's important to be aware that the spelling of surnames often changed over time based on phonetic interpretations and literacy levels.
Despite these variations, all these surnames share the same root from Kimberley in England. This place name itself is made up of two Old English elements: "cyneburg" meaning "royal fortress" and "leah" meaning "wood" or "clearing." Such place-derived surnames often belonged to lords and owners of these lands in ancient times, or to those who migrated from these places and took the area's name as their identity.
Famous people with the name Kimbrough
- Junior Kimbrough: blues singer and guitarist.
- Audrey Kimbrough: former fashion model and the mother of singer, songwriter, actress, and entrepreneur Kelis.
- Katt Williams: standup comedian, rapper, and actor who previously went by the stage name Katt Kimbrough.
- Kail Kimbrough: American Christian hip hop musician.
- Minnie Kimbrough: the first African American woman to own a bank in Tennessee.
- Lloyd Kimbrough: former National Football League tight end.
- Hester Kimbrough: the first African American female professional tennis player in the Deep South.
- TJ Kimbrough: former college football player and member of two national championship teams.
- Arthur Kimbrough: former NFL player who won a Super Bowl with the Los Angeles Raiders.
- Laurie Kimbrough: the first African American woman to ever qualify as a A.I.A. Architect in the state of Tennessee.