This is a Scottish habitation name from the lands of Kincaid near Lemoxtown in Campsie Glen, Stirlingshire. The place name is first recorded in 1238 as "Kincaith" and in 1250 as "Kincathe". The former spelling suggests derivation from the Gaelic "ceann", meaning head, or top, and "caithe", the pass, whereas the latter seems to be derived from "Cadha" meaning quagmire. Modern variants of the name are recorded as Kincade, Kinkead, Kinkaid and Kinkade. A notable bearer of the name was Sir John Kincaid (1787 - 1862), of the rifle brigade. He served in the Peninsula Wars and was severely wounded at Waterloo and on retirement from the army became inspector of factories and prisons for Scotland. He was knighted in 1852 while Senior Exon of the Royal Bodyguard of Yeomen of the guard. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert de Kyncade. which was dated 1450, Edinburgh. during the reign of King James 11, known as "The Last Catholic King" 1685 - 1688. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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