Kirklen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Scotland

The Strathclyde-Briton people of ancient Scotland were the first to use the name Kirklen. The Kirklen family 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 Kirklen family

The surname Kirklen 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 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, 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]

Important Dates for the Kirklen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kirklen research. Another 108 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1280, 1585, 1586, 1790 and are included under the topic Early Kirklen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kirklen Spelling Variations

The variation in the spelling of Medieval names is a result of the lack of spelling rules in the English language prior to the last few hundred years. Before that time, scribes spelled according to sound, often varying the spelling of name within a single document. Kirklen has appeared as Kirkland, Kirkeland, Kirtland and others.

Early Notables of the Kirklen family (pre 1700)

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

Migration of the Kirklen family to Ireland

Some of the Kirklen 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.

Migration of the Kirklen family

As the persecution of Clan families continued, they sailed for North America in increasing numbers. In most cases, they found the freedom and opportunity they sought. Land was often available and the American War of Independence allowed Scots an opportunity to solidify their independence from the English crown. These settlers and their ancestors went on to play essential roles in the forging of the nations of the United States and Canada. 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..

Citations

1. ^ Mills, A.D., Dictionary of English Place-Names. Oxford: Oxford University Press, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-19-869156-4)
2. ^ Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
3. ^ Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
4. ^ 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)