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![Show Contents]() O'Kirwind History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
 Ireland
Many variations of the name O'Kirwind 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 O'Kirwind familyThe surname O'Kirwind 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 O'Kirwind familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Kirwind 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 O'Kirwind History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. O'Kirwind Spelling VariationsBefore widespread literacy came to Ireland, a name was often recorded under several different variations during the life of its bearer. Accordingly, numerous spelling variations were revealed in the search for the origin of the name O'Kirwind family name. Variations found include Kirwan, O'Kirwan, Kerovan, Kyrvan, O'Quirivan, Kirwin, Kerwin, Kerwan and many more. Early Notables of the O'Kirwind familyNotable amongst the family name at this time was John Óge Kirwan, Mayor of Galway (1530-1531); Thomas Kirwan, Mayor of Galway (1534-1535); Richard Kirwan, Mayor of Galway (1550-1551); Stephen Kirwan (d. 1602), an Irish prelate, Bishop of Clonfert; Reverend Francis Kirwan (1589-1661), Bishop of Killala, but was later exiled...
Another 48 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early O'Kirwind Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the O'Kirwind familyTo escape the religious and political discrimination they experienced primarily at the hands of the English, thousands of Irish left their homeland in the 19th century. These migrants typically settled in communities throughout the East Coast of North America, but also joined the wagon trains moving out to the Midwest. Ironically, when the American War of Independence began, many Irish settlers took the side of England, and at the war's conclusion moved north to Canada. These United Empire Loyalists, were granted land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula. Other Irish immigrants settled in Newfoundland, the Ottawa Valley, New Brunswick and Nova Scotia. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, however, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America and Australia. Many of those numbers, however, did not live through the long sea passage. These Irish settlers to North America were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. Irish settlers made an inestimable contribution to the building of the New World. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the Irish name O'Kirwind or a variant listed above, including: William Kirvan, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1853; Elizabeth, Maria, Michael, and Thomas Kirwan, all arrived in Philadelphia between 1820 and 1844; John Kirwin settled in Philadelphia in 1851..
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.
- MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
- Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
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