An English surname, Kindred comes from the Middle English terms of ‘kene’ and ‘raed’ which mean a brave counsel. Variations in spelling for Kindred include Kenryd, Kinrade, Kenway, Kyndred and Kindread. In England the main location traditional for the Kindred families has been Essex County. They have spread to neighboring counties of Suffolk, Kent, Bedfordshire and Sussex. to the north the Kindred families are in Cumberland and Northumberland counties. Within the United States those with the Kindred name live primarily in California, Ohio, Georgia, Alabama, Missouri and Texas. Famous: Michal Kindred (professional bodybuilder), Christopher Kindred (professional wrestler and Sascha Kindred (a winner of eleven medals as a swimmer at the Paralympic Games).