Language(s) English | Variant(s) Kimberly | |
See also Kimberley, Kimberly (given names) | ||
Kimberley is a surname in the English language. A variant form of the surname is Kimberly.
Kimberley is derived from any of several places in England named Kimberley. However, several such places have differing etymologies. For example, the Kimberly in Norfolk is derived from two Old English elements: the first is the feminine personal name Cyneburg; the second element is lēah, meaning "wood" or "clearing". The Kimberly in Nottinghamshire is similarly derived, although the personal name is Cynemær. Likewise the Kimberly in Warwickshire is derived from the personal name Cynebold.
An early record of the surname is de Chineburlai, in 1161; and de Kynmerley, in 1300.
The Earls of Kimberley derived their title from the place name in Norfolk. Their name gave rise to the like-named place Kimberley, in Northern Cape, South Africa. From this South African place name comes the modern given names Kimberley and Kimberly.
Notable people with the surname include: