Kirklay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• England
• Scotland

Early Origins of the Kirklay family

Early History of the Kirklay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kirklay research. Another 106 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1200, 1223, 1273, 1639 and 1687 are included under the topic Early Kirklay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kirklay Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, early Anglo-Saxon surnames like Kirklay are characterized by many spelling variations. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages, even literate people changed the spelling of their names. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. The variations of the name Kirklay include: Kirkley, Kirkly, Kirklee, Kirkele, Kirkelee and others.

Early Notables of the Kirklay family

More information is included under the topic Early Kirklay Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Kirklay family

Many English families tired of political and religious strife left Britain for the new colonies in North America. Although the trip itself offered no relief - conditions on the ships were extremely cramped, and many travelers arrived diseased, starving, and destitute - these immigrants believed the opportunities that awaited them were worth the risks. Once in the colonies, many of the families did indeed prosper and, in turn, made significant contributions to the culture and economies of the growing colonies. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name Kirklay or a variant listed above: S. Kirtley who sailed to San Francisco in 1852 and John George Kirtley who arrived in New Brunswick in 1902.