Surname Kimbel - Meaning and Origin

Kimbel: What does the surname Kimbel mean?

The surname Kimbel is believed to have Germanic origins, derived from an old personal name. The earliest etymological roots suggest that it is from the personal names 'Kimme' which means the 'edge or brim', and 'Ball' or 'Balla' which means 'brave, strong or bold', or alternatively, 'stranger or outsider'. Therefore, the surname is often thought to mean 'brave or strong edge'. It's also suggested that it can mean 'brave or strong stranger'.

Surnames often began as a way to separate individuals with the same first name, often conveying information about the person's occupation, place of residence, physical attributes, or ancestry. In the case of Kimbel, it appears to be more likely tied to personal characteristics, either of the first individual to carry the name or perhaps of an ancestor. The surname has various spelling forms like Kimball, Kimbel, Kimbell, Kimmell, Kimmel, and others due to regional dialects and phonetic spellings.

However, it should be noted that surname meanings are often speculative. The exact meaning and origin of any given surname can often only be surmised based on historical records and linguistic knowledge.

Kimbel: Where does the name Kimbel come from?

The surname Kimbel has German origins, possibly derived from the Germanic personal name "Kunibald." It is also synonymous with the variation "Kimbol," which came into use during medieval times. The first recorded spelling of the family name was Richard Cumbel in 1196, during the reign of King Richard I in England.

Today, the name is most prevalent in the United States, with a smaller presence in Canada, Australia, and England. In the United States, it is particularly common in Texas, California, Pennsylvania, and North Carolina. The usage of Kimbel as a surname has fluctuated over years in the US, with its peak in 1964. However, even with its Germanic roots and use in other English-speaking countries, Kimbel is not typically listed as a common surname in Germany itself. The surname has been branched into many spelling variations over the centuries, with Kimbell and Kimball being among the more common ones. Names like Kimbel, Kimbell, and Kimball have been interchanged often, depending on phonetics and regional accent influences.

Variations of the surname Kimbel

The surname Kimbel has a few variations and alternative spellings considering its geographical and historical influences. Some of these variants include Kimball, Kimble, Kimbell, Kimbol, Kimboll, Kymbal, Kymbel, and Kymball, reflecting common spelling and pronunciation variations. The name can also be found hyphenated or combined with another surname, like Kimbel-Smith or Kimball-Jones.

The surname is believed to have English origins. It may be derived from the Old Norse male personal name 'Kymbel', introduced into England by the Normans after the Conquest in 1066. Alternatively, it could be a locational name from a now "lost" medieval village possibly called Kimbel, as there are several places in England named Kimberley and Kimble.

Surname-wise, it can be traced back to Symon Kimbell of Bedfordshire, England, in the 13th century. So names like Kimberley and Kimble could also be associated with Kimbel's origin. As it's a patronymic surname, the names Kimbelson and Kimballson may also exist, pointing to "son of Kimbel" or "son of Kimball". However, the exact prevalence or usage of these variations may mostly be historically, regionally, and culturally influenced.

Famous people with the name Kimbel

• Chris Kimbel: popular television news anchor and correspondent
• Sabra Kimbel: professional golfer who competes on the LPGA tour
• Dave Kimbel: former independent candidate for US senate in Massachusetts
• Richard Kimbel: American comedic actor known for the series NPRV
• Ashley Kimbel: singer-songwriter and Christian music artist
• Louisa Kimbel: Broadway actress and dancer
• Emily Kimbel: artist and sculptor
• Derrick Kimbel: celebrity chef and restaurateur
• Bryan Kimbel: professional skateboarder and X-Game gold medal winner
• Ryan Kimbel: professional sound engineer and producer

Other surnames

Kimbell