Explore the Family Name Kit
The meaning of Kit
1. Ukrainian and Rusyn: nickname from Ukrainian and Rusyn kit ‘cat’. As a Rusyn name it is also found in Poland. 2. Chinese: Cantonese form of the surname 揭, meaning ‘raise, hoist’ in ancient Chinese: shortened form of the placename Jie Yang (揭陽) (located in present-day eastern Guangdong province), possibly borne by descendants of the governor of Jieyang originally called Shi Ding, also known as Jie Yang Ling (揭陽令) during the Western Han dynasty (206 BC–25 AD). 3. Chinese: Teochew, Hokkien, or Taiwanese form of the surname 吉, see Ji 7. 4. Chinese: possibly from Cantonese form of the Chinese name 傑 (meaning ‘outstanding’ or ‘hero’), a monosyllabic personal name, or part of a disyllabic personal name of some early Chinese immigrants in the US.
Dictionary of American Family Names, 2nd edition, © Oxford University Press, 2022.
How common is the last name Kit in the United States?
Based on the Decennial U.S. Census data, the popularity of the surname "Kit" has seen a significant increase from 2000 to 2010. In 2000, "Kit" ranked 72,466 in terms of popularity, but by 2010 it had climbed to 62,903, representing a 13.2% change. The count of individuals with this last name also grew from 250 in 2000 to 318 in 2010, indicating a 27.2% jump. The proportion of people with this surname per 100,000 increased by 22.22%, moving from 0.09 in 2000 to 0.11 in 2010.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #72,466 | #62,903 | 13.2% |
| Count | 250 | 318 | 27.2% |
| Proportion per 100k | 0.09 | 0.11 | 22.22% |
Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Kit
Analyzing the ethnicity associated with the surname "Kit", according to the Decennial U.S. Census, reveals a diversity of backgrounds. Asian/Pacific Islander representation increased from 34.4% in 2000 to 38.36% in 2010, marking an 11.51% change. There was a decrease of 45% in the category of two or more races, falling from 4% in 2000 to 2.2% in 2010. The percentage of Whites decreased slightly from 54.8% in 2000 to 52.2% in 2010, a 4.74% change. The proportion of Blacks increased by 14.81% from 5.2% in 2000 to 5.97% in 2010. No data changes were reported for Hispanic, and American Indian and Alaskan Native categories.
| 2000 | 2010 | Change | |
|---|---|---|---|
| White | 54.8% | 52.2% | -4.74% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 34.4% | 38.36% | 11.51% |
| Black | 5.2% | 5.97% | 14.81% |
| Two or More Races | 4% | 2.2% | -45% |
| Hispanic | 0% | 0% | 0% |
| American Indian and Alaskan Native | 0% | 0% | 0% |