Surname Kinchella - Meaning and Origin
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Kinchella: What does the surname Kinchella mean?
The last name Kinchella is of English origin and is believed to have originated from various locations such as Kent, England or Kilmarnock, Scotland. The general meaning of the name is a dweller at the king’s hall.
From a historical perspective, records indicate that the name is derived from the suffix “halla”, which is a Latin term used for a meeting hall, court, or palace. The prefix “kin” is a translation for the term “king”. When combined, “Kinchella” can be interpreted as a place or dwelling in which the king resides.
An alternate meaning comes from an old English occupational term that was given to a household servant or a detainee of the king’s court. This term could have referred to a servant who attended to the king at his hall or residence.
The Kinchella family name is thought to have emerged between the 12th and 15th centuries when ornate and influential families dominated the English social hierarchy. During that time, the Kinchella family established strong roots and grew their presence in various areas of England.
Today, Kinchella surnames are still found throughout England, Scotland, and Ireland. Although the name may have lost some of its prominence over time, the Kinchella surname remains closely associated with its roots; and still serves as a physical testament to a strong and influential name which has stood the test of time.
Order DNA origin analysisKinchella: Where does the name Kinchella come from?
The last name Kinchella is generally found today in the United States, particularly near the Northeast region. Specifically, those bearing the last name tend to be located in Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. This is likely due to the large number of Kinchella families that originally settled in this region in the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Kinchella is an Irish last name which probably originated from the Connacht province. This region would have been the source for many of the Central and Northeastern Irish immigrants who travelled to America in search of a better life. It is not known when the name originally arrived in the United States, but it would have been sometime in the 1800s or prior.
Due to the large number of Kinchella families which settled in the Northeast US during the 19th and early 20th centuries, those with the name are still more likely to be found here today. There are, of course, scattered branches of the family across the country, but the Northeastern region is still a major hub for the surname. Subsequently, those looking for Kinchella families will likely have better luck searching for them here.
Variations of the surname Kinchella
The surname Kinchella is believed to have originated in Scotland from the Ayrshire and Renfrewshire areas and is also common in Ireland. Variants with the same origin include Kinchela, Kinchellow, Kinchelloe, Kincheloe, Kinchele, Kinchelle, Kinchelly, Kinchell, Kinchelly, Kinchellaw and Kinchelley. It may also be spelled Kynchelloe, Kincheale, Kynchell and Kinchilow.
In Scotland, the name is also spelled Kinchelea and Kinchelor while in Ireland it may appear as Kinchela, Kinchella, Kinchellor, Kincheloe, Kinchelly, Kinchella, Kynchelle and Kinchiloe as well.
At times the surname has been changed or altered due to varying accents and pronunciation, leading to other spellings or variants such as Kinchelroy, Kinnchella, Kinsella and Kinnsella.
The surname Kinchella is widespread in the USA. For example, it may be found in Mississippi, North Carolina, Alabama, Florida, Ohio and New Jersey, as well as other states. Additionally, there is a surname Kinchella localized to Oregon and Tompkins County, New York.
In Ireland, the surname Kinchella may also be the anglicised version of the Gaelic surname Ó Cíonchaille. In Scotland, the name may be an anglicised version of the Gaelic Mac Coinnchaille, which means "son of Coinnchall" or "son of the wise one".
The surname Kinchella is a rare but interesting descriptor of one's family history, with many variants and spellings to add to the linguistic complexity.
Famous people with the name Kinchella
- Paul Kinchela: Aboriginal artist and actor for the National Theatre company in Australia.
- Josh Kinchela: Musician, singer-songwriter from Newcastle, Australia.
- Michael Kinchela: Irish-born actor, producer, and director.
- Chris Kinchela: Professional Basketball Player, played for the Sydney Kings in Australia.
- Anna Kinchela: Actress, starred in the Australian television series Flying Doctors.
- Lucy Kinchela: Winner of the 2017 Miss Universe Australia pageant.
- Richard Kinchela: Aboriginal author, speaker, and passionate advocate for the health and well-being of Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander communities.
- Reanne Kinchela: Wildlife photographer from Australia.
- Shae Kinchela: Professional surfer from the Tweed Valley region of Australia.
- Joanne Kinchela: Aboriginal actress and playwright, best known for her work in the series Redfern Now.