Killing Family History

From Kelling (Norfolk), which is recorded as Kellinga in 1086, Kelling in 1242–3, and Kylling in 1275, or Nunkeeling (ER Yorks), which is recorded as Killinga and Killing in the 12th century and Kelyng in the 16th century. The place-names mean ‘(the place of) the people of a man called Cylla’ from an Old English personal name *Cylla + the Old English group-name suffix -ingas.

Some of the following examples with no preposition may alternatively belong with (2), a variant of Keeling, perhaps from an unrecorded Middle English personal name *Killing. This could derive from Old English *Cylling, a pet form of Old English Cylla, of uncertain etymology.

However, the absence of Middle English examples of the name makes this explanation quite uncertain. It is worth noting the connection to Killen.