Kirwin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:

Ireland

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Many variations of the name Kirwin have evolved since the time of its initial creation. In Gaelic it appeared as Ó Ciardhubhain, which is derived from the words "ciar" and "dubh," both of which mean "black." 1

Early Origins of the Kirwin family

The surname Kirwin was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island. The family of ancient Irish extraction have been seated at Blindwell in County Galway from time immemorial. 2

Early History of the Kirwin family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kirwin research. Another 93 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1530, 1531, 1534, 1535, 1550, 1551, 1589, 1602, 1642, 1650, 1653, 1661, 1686, 1688 and 1721 are included under the topic Early Kirwin History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kirwin Spelling Variations

Names from the Middle Ages demonstrate many spelling variations. This is because the recording scribe or church official often decided as to how a person's name was spelt and in what language. Research into the name Kirwin revealed many variations, including Kirwan, O'Kirwan, Kerovan, Kyrvan, O'Quirivan, Kirwin, Kerwin, Kerwan and many more.

Early Notables of the Kirwin family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

Dominick Kirwin (fl. 1642-1653), an Irish Confederate who led the raiding party that seized a ship anchored near Galway early in the morning of 19 March 1642

Kirwin Ranking

In the United States, the name Kirwin is the 16,476^th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 3

Kirwin migration to the United States +

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the Kirwin family relocated to North American shores quite early:

Kirwin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

John Kirwin, who settled in Philadelphia in 1851
Patrick Kirwin, who landed in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1856 4
Catharine Kirwin, aged 34, who landed in New York in 1864 4
Richard Kirwin, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1878 4

Kirwin migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kirwin Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Edward Kirwin, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1841
Mr. John Kirwin, aged 16 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Saguenay" departing 5th June 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 22nd August 1847 but he died on board 5
Miss. Mary Kirwin, aged 16 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Colonist" departing 13th July 1847 from New Ross, Ireland; the ship arrived on 29th August 1847 but she died on board 5
Mr. Michael Kirwin, aged 60 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Saguenay" departing 5th June 1847 from Cork, Ireland; the ship arrived on 22nd August 1847 but he died on board 5

Kirwin migration to Australia +

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

Kirwin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Philip Kirwin, (b. 1801), aged 25, English weaver who was convicted in Lancaster, Lancashire, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Earl St Vincent" on 20th April 1826, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land), he died in 1881 6
Andrew Kirwin, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Oregon" 7
Jane Kirwin, aged 18, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Victoria Regia"

Kirwin 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:

Kirwin Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Denis Kirwin, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Evening Star" arriving in Dunedin, Otago, South Island, New Zealand on 14th October 1860 8
Miss Sarah Kirwin, (b. 1839), aged 24, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Huntress" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st April 1863 8
Miss Martha Kirwin, (b. 1846), aged 17, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Huntress" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 21st April 1863 8
Miss Fanny Kirwin, (b. 1844), aged 22, British needlewoman travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 8
Miss Kate Kirwin, (b. 1842), aged 24, British needlewoman travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 5th January 1867 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Kirwin (post 1700) +

John J. Kirwin (1918-1943), United States Navy officer who received the Navy Cross posthumously for his actions in combat during World War II, eponym of the USS Kirwin (APD-90)
Fred H. Kirwin, American Republican politician, Alternate Delegate to Republican National Convention from Massachusetts, 1924 9
Frank Kirwin (1921-1997), former Australian rules footballer who played for Collingwood in 1943

Historic Events for the Kirwin family +

The Kirwin 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: Mon Dieu, mon Roi, et ma patrie
Motto Translation: Mon Dieu, mon Roi, et ma patrie.