The name Kathryne is a variant of the English name Katherine, which derives from the ancient Greek name Aikaterine. The Greek name Aikaterine is composed of the elements "katharos" meaning "pure" and "hagna" meaning "virginal." This name ultimately traces its roots back to the ancient name Hecate, who was the Greek goddess of magic, sorcery, and witchcraft.

Kathryne was a popular name among early Christians, who bestowed it upon their daughters as a reference to the virtues of purity and virginity. One of the earliest known bearers of this name was Saint Katharine of Alexandria, a 4th-century Christian martyr who was tortured and executed for her faith during the reign of the Roman Emperor Maxentius.

In the Middle Ages, the name Kathryne gained widespread popularity across Europe, particularly in England, where it was commonly spelled as Katherine or Catheryn. Notable historical figures with this name include Katherine of Aragon (1485-1536), the first wife of King Henry VIII of England, and Katherine Parr (1512-1548), the sixth and final wife of Henry VIII.

During the Renaissance period, Kathryne remained a popular name among the nobility and upper classes. One notable bearer was Katherine Howard (c. 1523-1542), the fifth wife of King Henry VIII, who was executed for adultery after a brief marriage to the English monarch.

In the 17th century, the name Kathryne was brought to the American colonies by English settlers. One of the earliest recorded instances of this name in America was Kathryne Winthrop (1584-1647), the wife of Governor John Winthrop of the Massachusetts Bay Colony.

Other famous historical figures named Kathryne include Kathryne Wright (1844-1935), an American educator and suffragist who played a significant role in the women's rights movement, and Kathryne Hulme (1900-1981), an American novelist and memoirist best known for her book "The Nun's Story."