Show ContentsKin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Kin

What does the name Kin mean?

The root of the ancient Dalriadan-Scottish name Kin is the personal name Simon, or from Sim, which is a diminutive form of that name. The Gaelic forms of the name are Mac Shim, meaning son of Sim. or Mac Shimidh, meaning son of Simon.

Early Origins of the Kin family

The surname Kin was first found in the Isle of Bute, in western Scotland where they held lands anciently granted by the King of Scotland.

Early History of the Kin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kin research. Another 210 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1333, 1506, 1529, 1539, 1542, 1550, 1586, 1609, 1641 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Kin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kin Spelling Variations

Historical recordings of the name Kin include many spelling variations. They include They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. M'Shimis, M'Shimmie, M'Kimmie, M'Kim, M'Kym, M'Kymme, M'Shiomoun, M'Kin and many more.

Early Notables of the Kin family

More information is included under the topic Early Kin Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kin family to Ireland

Some of the Kin family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 60 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Kin migration to the United States +

Descendents of Dalriadan-Scottish families still populate many communities across North America. They are particularly common in Canada, since many went north as United Empire Loyalists at the time of the American War of Independence. Much later, in the late 19th and early 20th centuries, the highland games and Clan societies that now dot North America sprang up, allowing many Scots to recover their lost national heritage. Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America bore the name Kin, or a variant listed above:

Kin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Jacob Kin, aged 21, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1741 1
  • Peter Kin, aged 18, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1741 1
  • Elisabeth Kin, who arrived in America in 1763
Kin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Maria Kin, who settled in Philadelphia in 1816
  • C. Kin, who settled in San Francisco in 1852


The Kin Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Je suis prest
Motto Translation: I am ready.


  1. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)


Houseofnames.com on Facebook