Origin of the King Surname
The King surname is of English origin (Old English). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #34 with 465,422 Americans (157.78 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how King traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | King |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | English |
| Language | Old English |
| US Rank (2010) | #34 |
| US Count (2010) | 465,422 |
| Per 100K People | 157.78 |
| First Letter | K |
Ethnic Distribution of King
Among 465,422 Americans named King, the largest self-reported group is White (70.16%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of King Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of King moved up. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the King family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the King Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full King Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of King
- ✓ The King coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where King families live today
- ✓ Notable King bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one King fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to King
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with King.
Other English Surnames
Explore more surnames with English roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same English origin as King.
Frequently Asked Questions About King
Top Surnames Starting with K
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter K, ranked by population.
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