The King Coat of Arms and Name Meaning
Discover the meaning of King, its origins in England, and the story behind a King family crest.
Order your pack and our heraldry team researches and paints the King coat of arms for you.
Origin of the King name
King comes from the Old English cyning, "king". It was usually a nickname for someone with a regal manner, for a man who played the king in a pageant or was crowned king of a festival or contest, or for a servant of the royal household. In Ireland it also anglicized Gaelic names such as Ó Cionga. It is common across England and America.
Our historical archives hold much more on the King name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the King name in England. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Australia and Ireland; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full King family history
The complete King pack goes much further: documented origins, early records and family spread, plus a hand-checked coat of arms.
King name FAQ
What does the King name mean?
King (nickname or royal servant). Common variants include Kinge, Kyng, Ó Cionga.
Where does the King surname come from?
It originates in England, and is also found in the United States, Australia and Ireland.
Is there a King coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single King crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized King coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: Reaney & Wilson, Dictionary of English Surnames; MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).