This interesting name is of Scottish origin, and is a locational surname, from either of two places. It may be from Kinmont, a place in the lordship of Methven in Perthshire, or it may be a variant of "Kinman" which is a shortened form of Kininmonth, the name of two places in Fife. Also, Kinman itself may in some instances derive from an occupational name for "a royal-man", from the Olde English pre 7th Century "cyneman" (recorded only once, circa 770, in Worcester), or more likely it may mean "a herdsman", from the Olde English elements "cyna" and "mann". The surname itself first appears in the mid 13th Century (see below). Robert Kynemon and Richard Kenemon were recorded in the Subsidy Rolls of Worcestershire in 1327. Further early recordings of the surname include: one Alexander Kinmont, who married Gryssell Guthre at Monifieth, Angus, on December 18th 1582; the marriage of Elizabeth Kinmond and Robert Whiltoun at Dundee, Angus, on April 5th 1653; and the christening of Marine Kinmond at Liff Benvie and Invergowrie, Angus, on February 27th 1655. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of John Ky(n)man, which was dated 1260, witness to a quit claim of the land of Drumkarauch (Scottish records), during the reign of King Alexander 111 of Scotland, 1249 - 1286. 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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