KELSEY

Origin and etymology In historic texts In the 1881 census Distribution map

Kelsey

The surname Kelsey is of Old English origin, derived from the locational name for several places in England. The most notable origin is from Kelsale in Suffolk, believed to mean "island where the chalk is found", from the Old English words "cealc" (chalk) and "ieg" (island). The name Kelsey was first recorded in the Domesday Book of 1086 as "Chilleslei".

The name has variations including Kelsy, Kelsi, and Kealsy. Over time, the surname Kelsey spread throughout England and beyond, especially to North America and Australia.

Famous individuals bearing the surname Kelsey include Sir Charles Kelsey, an 18th-century English naval officer; and actress Kelsey Grammar, known for his roles in television shows such as "Frasier." The surname Kelsey is also heraldically associated with a coat of arms that features a gold lion rampant on a red shield.

The name Kelsey continues to be borne by families across the United Kingdom and is a part of the rich tapestry of British surnames.

There are approximately 3,908 people named Kelsey in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,393rd most common surname in Britain. Around 60 in a million people in Britain are named Kelsey.

Surname type: Location or geographical feature

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

Andrew
David
James
John
Mark
Michael
Paul
Peter
Richard
Robert

Female

Christine
Elizabeth
Emma
Helen
Jean
Karen
Margaret
Mary
Patricia
Sarah
Susan
Yvonne

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.