Scottish history reveals Kirkaton was first used as a surname by the Strathclyde-Briton people. It was a name for 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)Early Origins of the Kirkaton family
The surname Kirkaton 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6) Later the parish of Kirkland in
Lancashire 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print. As one would expect having a close proximity to
Scotland, 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]CITATION[CLOSE]
Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Early History of the Kirkaton family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kirkaton research.
Another 215 words (15 lines of text) covering the years 1280, 1585, 1586, 1790 and are included under the topic Early Kirkaton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Kirkaton Spelling Variations
It is only in the last few hundred years that rules have developed and the process of spelling according to sound has been abandoned. Scottish names from before that time tend to appear under many different
spelling variations. Kirkaton has been spelled Kirkland, Kirkeland, Kirtland and others.
Early Notables of the Kirkaton family (pre 1700)
More information is included under the topic Early Kirkaton Notables in all our
PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Kirkaton family to Ireland
Some of the Kirkaton family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 87 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the Kirkaton family to the New World and Oceana
Unwelcome in their beloved homeland, many Scots sailed for the colonies of North America. There, they found land and freedom, and even the opportunity to make a new nation in the American
War of Independence. These Scottish settlers played essential roles in the founding of the United States, and the shaping of contemporary North America. Among them: Phillips and Nathaniel Kirkland settled in Lynn Massachusetts in 1635; John Kirkland settled in New Jersey in 1685; Charles and George Kirkland both arrived in Philadelphia in 1813 and 1832 respectively..
The Kirkaton 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.