When Kittil Isachsen Faen was born in 1734, in Holla, Telemark, Norway, his father, Isac Hegland, was 39 and his mother, Karen Kittilsdatter, was 54. He married Anna Andersdatter on 24 February 1760, in Holla, Bratsberg, Norway. They were the parents of at least 12 sons and 9 daughters. He died on 3 January 1801, in his hometown, at the age of 67.