Surname Kirkby - Meaning and Origin

Kirkby: What does the surname Kirkby mean?

The surname Kirkby is of Scandinavian origin and it is derived from the Old Norse words "kirkja," which means church, and "by," which means farm or settlement. Hence, Kirkby literally translates to "church farm" or "church settlement". It was likely used to describe someone who lived near or worked at a church farm or settlement. The name is particularly common in areas of England with a strong history of Viking or Scandinavian influence, such as Northumberland, Yorkshire, and Lancashire. Over time, it has been widely adopted across different regions and countries, and variations of spelling can include Kirkeby, Kirkbye, and others. Like many surnames, it can provide a glimpse into the geographical and occupational background of one's ancestors.

Kirkby: Where does the name Kirkby come from?

The surname Kirkby originates from England and is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It falls under the category of topographic surnames, which were given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree. The name Kirkby combines two Old Norse words, "kirkja" meaning "church" and "byr" meaning "farm or settlement", so it can be translated as "church farm or settlement". It indicates that the original bearers of this surname likely lived near or worked on a church owned farm.

Variations of this surname include Kirkbye, Kirby, Kirbye, and Kerbey. The surname first appeared in records in the 13th century. The Kirkby family played a vital role in the history of England, holding a family seat in Lancashire, and significantly contributed to the region's politics and society.

Today, Kirkby is still primarily found in England but has also spread to parts of the United States, Australia, and Canada, due to migration over the centuries. It is particularly common in the English counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire.

Variations of the surname Kirkby

The surname Kirkby originates from the place name Kirby, derived from the old Norse elements "kirkja" (church) and "by" (farm or settlement). Common variants of this surname are Kirby, Kirkbie, Kirkbee, Kirkeby, and Kerby. Some versions use an alternative spelling of "church" such as Kirkbey or Kirchby. Occasionally, a "t" may be added making it Kirktby or Kirktbey. Some individuals with this surname may also shorten it to simply Kirk or Kirke.

The variations occur due to changes in spelling rules over time, regional accents, and emigration resulting in altered spellings, such as for those with the surname who moved to other countries and adapted it to fit their new language.

Surnames that may share the same or similar origins because they also refer to church-related locations include: Kirkham, Kirkland, Kirkwood, and Churchby. They all share the word "kirk," an old word for church, and are also paired with a descriptive place-related term.

It should be noted that variations in surnames can be large, especially for older names, and this list should not be considered exhaustive.

Famous people with the name Kirkby

• Dexeter Kirkby: Jamaican-English actor and rapper
• John Kirkby: English cricketer
• John Henry Kirkby: English entomologist
• Matthew Kirkby: Australian Paralympic silver medalist
• Rob Kirkby: Former British politician and MEP
• Ross Kirkby: Australian artist and music composer
• Sarah Kirkby: British actress and singer
• Steve Kirkby: British Field hockey player
• Stuart Kirkby: Former English cricketer
• William Kirkby: English athlete

Other surnames

KirkbrideKirkbye