Show ContentsKirtly History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

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Kirtly Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Family Crest Download (JPG) Heritage Series - 600 DPI

Etymology of Kirtly

What does the name Kirtly mean?

The name Kirtly is derived from the Old French words "cortiller, courtuiller, cultilier" which mean "gardener" or is a derivative of the MIddle English word "curtil" or "kirtle," a maker of kirtles. Kirtles were a garment that was worn by men and women in the Middle Ages, eventually known to be a kirtle dress.

Early Origins of the Kirtly family

The surname Kirtly was first found in Essex where Geoffrey le Cultelier was registered as holding lands in the Pipe Rolls of 1186. William le Curtiller was listed in the Pipe Rolls for Wiltshire in 1199. Both entries point to the occupational nature of the name with the use of "le." Ralph Curtiler was listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1296 and William and Roger le Corteler were both listed in the Subsidy Rolls for Suffolk in 1327. 1

The Kirtley variant is derived from Kirkley, "a township in the parish of Ponteland, ten miles from Newcastle, Northumberland." 2

Early History of the Kirtly family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kirtly research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1186, 1455 and 1487 are included under the topic Early Kirtly History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kirtly Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. Kirtly has been spelled many different ways, including Curtler, Courtler, Kirtler, Cirtler, Curtillier, Corteler, Cortler and many more.

Early Notables of the Kirtly family

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

Migration of the Kirtly family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Kirtlys to arrive in North America: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..

  1. Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
  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)

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