Surname Kincaid - Meaning and Origin

Discovering Kincaid Ancestry through iGENEA DNA Testing: An Unforeseen Insight into Personal History

A journey back in time with iGENEA DNA test, brings unexpected insights, altering perceptions about personal identity, and shedding light on the familial lineage of Kincaid. The narrative evolves around extensively untangling the ancestral history, deeply infused within the DNA.

E. Kincaid

Kincaid: What does the surname Kincaid mean?

The surname Kincaid is of Scottish origin, derived from an amalgamation of Gaelic elements. In Gaelic "Ceann", means head and "Càithe", which means pass, so combined it literally translates to "head of the pass". The name is related to a specific location called "Kincaid" in Stirlingshire, Scotland, where the bearers of the last name allegedly resided. The Kincaids were a powerful and influential Scottish clan in central Scotland, known for their status and land ownership.

It is important to note that spellings of names evolved over centuries, influenced by phonetic and regional linguistic changes. Therefore, variations of the name Kincaid exist, like Kyncade, Kinkeid, and others. Furthermore, many who bear the name today did not necessarily inherit it from the historical Kincaid lineage, as cultural assimilation, immigration, and other factors influenced surname changes and adoption.

Kincaid: Where does the name Kincaid come from?

The surname Kincaid is of Scottish origin, specifically derived from the lands of Kincaid in Stirlingshire, Scotland. The first recorded spelling of the family name, dated 1231, appeared in the "Cartularium de Levenax", during the reign of King Alexander II of Scotland.

The Kincaid surname spread with Scottish immigrants to various countries including England, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and especially the United States. Today, it is most common in the United States, with highest concentrations in West Virginia, followed by Tennessee, Kentucky, Ohio, and North Carolina. The Kincaid surname is also relatively common in Canada, particularly in Hants County, Nova Scotia. However, it is considerably less common in the UK, found primarily in Northumberland, England and parts of Scotland.

Variations of the surname Kincaid

The surname Kincaid is of Scottish origin and believed to derive from the Gaelic "ceann cait," which means "cat's head." This surname is associated with the lands of Kincaid in the parish of Campsie, Stirling council area, Scotland. It's common to see variations in the spelling of this name due to the phonetic translations and the evolution of language over centuries.

Common variations and spellings of the surname Kincaid include Kincaide, Kincade, Kinkade, Kinkead, Kincade, Kinkaid, Kinkeid, and Kincayd. There's also the use of double 'n' and double 'd' in some variations such as Kinncaid or Kinkade. Prefixes and suffixes are also sometimes added, leading to forms like MacKincaid.

These different versions may also depend on regional dialects and foreign language influences, where phonetic spelling comes into play. Other variations might not be as prevalent but depended on where the families moved, how literate the local populace was, and how local officials chose to record the name.

Irrespective of the spelling, all variants tie back to the same origin point, illustrating the spreading and branching of a family tree.

Famous people with the name Kincaid

• Jamaica Kincaid: Award-winning author, born in St. John's, Antigua, and famous for her short story collections such as A Small Place.
• Johnston Kincaid: American national golf champion, who in 1922 and 1923 won the title at the U.S. Open and Amateur Championships.
• Ann Kincaid: American actress, best known for her guest role on the television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit.
• Mark Kincaid: British actor, who has appeared in films such as Abduction, The Jade Pendant and The Deseret.
• Paul Kincaid: American comic author and illustrator, who wrote The Brownies' Home and The Golden Age of Illustration.
• Jordan Kincaid: Canadian YouTube Personality, who has over 350,000 subscribers on his channel and is known for his vlogs and comedic sketches.
• Samantha Kincaid: Fictional character in the television series Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, portrayed by Ann Kincaid.
• Gerard Kincaid: American former college football coach, who was the head coach of the Columbia Lions from 1967-1971.
• John Kincaid: American historian and author, who is known for his works on the biographies of people of the American Revolutionary War.
• Julia Kincaid: British racing driver, winner of the Formula Ford Festival in 2014 and the BRDC Formula 4 championship in 2015.

Other surnames

KincadKincadeKincaedKincaideKincaithKincart