Kirkland History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Scotland 
  Ireland 
  England 


In ancient Scotland, the first people to use Kirkland as a surname were the Strathclyde-Britons. It was a name someone who lived in Cumberland, at Kirkland or in Lancashire at Kirkland. Both place names have essentially the same origin: "estate belonging to a church" having been derived from the Viking word "kirkja" + "land." Kirkland in Cumberland (Cumbria) was first recorded as Kyrkeland c. 1140. 1

Early Origins of the Kirkland family

The surname Kirkland was first found in Cumberland, at Kirkland, a township, in the parish and union of Garstang, hundred of Amounderness as Homines de Kyrkelaund, recorded there during the reign of Edward I. 2

Later the parish of Kirkland in Lancashire, England was another family seat. "After the lapse of a century, it belonged to William de Kirkland, whose name was derived from his residence, and who died in 1363." 3

As one would expect having a close proximity to Scotland, "There are many places of this name in the shires of Dumfries, Ayr, Lanark, Stirling, etc., from one or other of which the surname may have been derived. Johannes filius John de Kyrkeland held land in the territory of Gordon, c. 1280 and later William de Kyrkland was burgess of Glasgow, 1424. Again in Glasgow, listed there was Alan de Kyrklande (1463) and John de Kirkland (1471.) 4

Early History of the Kirkland family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kirkland research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1280, 1585, 1586, 1721, 1741, 1760, 1770, 1774, 1790, 1797, 1798, 1808, 1810, 1828, 1840 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Kirkland History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kirkland Spelling Variations

The origin of rules governing the spelling of names and even words is a very recent innovation. Before that, words and names were spelled according to sound, and, therefore, often appeared under several different spelling variations in a single document. Kirkland has been spelled Kirkland, Kirkeland, Kirtland and others.

Early Notables of the Kirkland family

Notable amongst the family at this time was

Kirkland Ranking

In the United States, the name Kirkland is the 953rd most popular surname with an estimated 32,331 people with that name. 5

Migration of the Kirkland family to Ireland

Some of the Kirkland family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 50 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Kirkland migration to the United States +

The persecution faced in their homeland left many Scots with little to do but sail for the colonies of North America. There they found land, freedom, opportunity, and nations in the making. They fought for their freedom in the American War of Independence, or traveled north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. In both cases, they made enormous contributions to the formation of those great nations. Among them:

Kirkland Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Kirkland Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Kirkland migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kirkland Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Kirkland migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Kirkland Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Kirkland migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Kirkland Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Kirkland (post 1700) +


The Kirkland Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Facta non verba
Motto Translation: Deeds not words.


Suggested Readings for the name Kirkland +
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