"John Knava, of Godolphin, Esq., was struck sheriff of Cornwall by Hen. VII. in 1504." (Hals.)
KNIVER. From kein-veor, the great ridge or promontory (kein for cheim).
KNIVET, KNYVETT. Found written Knyvet, De Knyvet, Knivat, Knevett, De Knevet. Ferguson considers the name Knevett a diminutive of Cniva, an early Gothic name. Camden, with more reason, thinks Knyvett a corruption of Dunevit (Dunheved). Borlase is of opinion that the ancient Cornish local name Dunheved (near Launceston) is a Saxon compound, signifying "the head of the hill." According to Baxter, Dunevet is the same as Nemetotacium (properly, as in Ravennas, Nemetomagum), in which Br. Willis agrees, Nemet is Cornish being pronounced Nevet, and dun substituted for magus, for pagus, a town or village; further that dun-huedh signifies in Cornish "the swelling hill," but dun-hedh "the long hill;" from which latter circumstance he imagines it was called Lanceestre and Lancestre-town.
KUMPE. See Gumb.
KYMBER. See Kimber.
KYMYEL. From a place in the parish of Paul, anciently the residence of the family. See Kymyell.
KYMYELL or KEMELL. From Kymyell in St. Buryan; from kûm-yuhal, the high valley; or kûm-youl, the devil's valley. Kûm-mêl, -meal would signify the vale of honey. Kymyel is probably the same name.
KYVERE. From chy-veor, the great house.
