Surname Irvine - Meaning and Origin

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I. Irvine

Irvine: What does the surname Irvine mean?

The surname Irvine is of Scottish origin, derived from the region of Irvine in North Ayrshire, and the River Irvine that runs through it. The name is believed to be from a combination of Celtic words, possibly meaning "green water" or "fresh water." It may have originally been used to identify someone who hailed from this area.

The Irvine surname is also associated with one of Scotland's oldest and most prominent clans, Clan Irvine. The clan's roots trace back to the 12th century during the reign of King David I of Scotland. The first known person to bear the surname was William de Irwin, who served as the armor bearer and secretary to King Robert the Bruce.

Today, despite its Scottish origins, the Irvine surname can be found in various forms all over the world due to historical immigration and relocation. Individuals with the Irvine surname can often trace their ancestry back to Scotland, demonstrating the continued influence of Scottish heritage.

Irvine: Where does the name Irvine come from?

The surname Irvine originates from Scotland, specifically from the town of Irvine in North Ayrshire, and from Irvine Clan. This clan is one of the oldest in Scotland, dating back to the 12th century, with roots in the Celtic royal house. Irvine gets its name from the Gaelic word for green water.

The name spread in regions such as Ireland due to the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century, when many Scottish settlers were re-settled in Ireland. The Irvine name can also be found in America, as a result of migration over the centuries.

Today, Irvine is a common surname in countries like the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and obviously Scotland. In the US, it is prevalent in states such as California, Pennsylvania, and New York. In Scotland, it is particularly common in areas connected with the old Clan Irvine territories, such as Dumfriesshire and the Scottish Borders.

Variations of the surname Irvine

The surname Irvine is of Scottish origin and is associated with Clan Irvine of Bonshaw. There are several variants, spellings and surnames of this origin. Some of the common variants include Irvine, Ervine, Irven, and Urven. It can also be spelled as Irwin, Irvin, Erwin, Ervin, and Irwing.

Irving, Erving, Irwin and Erwin are surnames of the same origin often used interchangeably with Irvine. Those are examples of Scottish surnames derived from Irvine, which originally denotes a person hailing from Irvine in North Ayrshire, Scotland or the River Irvine. Sometimes spelling variations occurred due to regional dialects, translation errors, or creative spellings by illiterate people.

There are also several sept names (family surname affiliated to a main Clan) associated with the Clan Irvine, which include: Crines, Orwin, and Orvin.

The Irish equivalent of Irvine is often Irwin or O’Irwin, indicating a "descendant of Eireamhoin," a personal name of uncertain meaning. On the other hand, Jewish Irvines often use the variant 'Ervin'. Keep in mind, the variations could change from region to region and over different time periods.

Famous people with the name Irvine

• William Irvine: Irish author, playwright, and journalist
• Colin Irvine: American composer and musician
• Heidi Irvine: Australian politician and tax accountant
• Robert Irvine: British celebrity chef and restaurateur
• Jack Irvine: British politician, schoolmaster, and journalist
• John Irvine: Irish civil rights leader
• Bill Irvine: Australian track and field athlete
• Jamie Irvine: Canadian actor and producer
• Johnathan Irvine: Australian fashion designer
• Lanai Irvine: British photographer and actor
• Claire Irvine: Australian actress
• Alan Irvine: Scottish football manager and former player
• Tom Irvine: American politician
• John Irvine: Canadian attorney and politician
• Stan Irvine: American Professional golfer
• Barry Irvine: British actor
• Stuart Irvine: Scottish rugby union commentator
• Jed Irvine: Welsh rugby union player
• Chris Irvine: British professional wrestler (stage name Chris Jericho)
• Alison Irvine: British author and artist

Other surnames

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