Surname Kirkpatrick - Meaning and Origin
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The Kirkpatrick Saga: A Journey into Our Past Through the iGENEA DNA Test
After undergoing an iGENEA DNA test, my understanding of my roots, particularly regarding the surname Kirkpatrick, has been profoundly altered. I embarked on a journey to tracing the history of my heritage, unearthing significant connections, movements, and contributions that forever etched the Kirkpatrick name into Scottish history. This discovery not only reshaped my recognition of my surname but also significantly enriched my family identity.
D. Kirkpatrick
read moreKirkpatrick: What does the surname Kirkpatrick mean?
The surname Kirkpatrick is of Scottish origin and is derived from a place name. The name can be broken down into two parts: "Kirk", which means church in Scottish and Northern English, and "Patrick", a personal name. Therefore, Kirkpatrick roughly translates to "Patrick's church." The name refers to several places in Scotland, particularly in Dumfries and Galloway where there are villages named Kirkpatrick-Fleming and Kirkpatrick-Durham. These places were named after Saint Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland, suggesting an early Celtic Christian influence in the region. The Kirkpatrick family was historically associated with the Scottish border region, and their clan seat was established at Closeburn Castle in Dumfriesshire. Today, people with the Kirkpatrick surname can be found all over the world, but it is most common in Scotland and northern Ireland.
Order DNA origin analysisKirkpatrick: Where does the name Kirkpatrick come from?
The surname Kirkpatrick is of Scottish origin, traced back to the ancient Strathclyde-Briton people in southwest Scotland. It comes from the region of Dumfriesshire. The name itself combines the Old Norse word "kirkja" (church) and "Patrick," resulting from the dedication of a church to Saint Patrick in the mentioned area.
During the Middle Ages, families would often be identified by the name of notable landmarks, such as a local church. Therefore, Kirkpatrick could also signify 'one who lives near the church of St. Patrick'. Many members of the Kirkpatrick family were involved in the Scottish Wars for Independence.
Today, the surname Kirkpatrick is most common in English-speaking countries, including the United States, the United Kingdom (particularly Scotland), Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Due to centuries of migration and relocation, the name has spread worldwide. The proliferation of the name in the US can be traced back to the significant waves of Scottish-Irish immigrants during the 18th and 19th centuries.
Variations of the surname Kirkpatrick
Kirkpatrick is a Scottish surname with different spellings like Kilpatrick, Kirkpatrik, and Kirkpatric. Variant forms of the surname often found in Scotland and Northern Ireland are Kilkpatrick and Gilpatrick derived from a Gaelic Patronymic name Mac Giolla Phádraig. Other variants of the surname are Kirkpatrike and Kilpartick.
Kirkpatrick could also be an Anglicized spelling of the Scottish Gaelic MacPhádraig. The surname Kirkpatrick is derived from a place in Scotland meaning "church of Patrick" and it reflects the family's long-standing association with the church. According to some sources, Scottish and Northern Irish families changed the name to Fitzpatrick, and some members of these families emigrated to America with both names.
Kirkpatrick has many strains branching over the centuries making it a relatively common surname in English-speaking countries. Many Kirkpatrick families emigrated to America, Australia, and Canada, where the surname was sometimes given different spellings due to immigration procedures. Common spellings also found in these countries are: Kirckpatrick, Kirkpatrik, Kirpatrick, and Kerkpatrick.
Some people with the name Kirkpatrick have also shortened it to “Kirk” for brevity or ease of pronunciation. Please note that many variations of the Kirkpatrick surname have likely developed over time, and this is not a comprehensive list.
Famous people with the name Kirkpatrick
- David Kirkpatrick: an American journalist and author. He is the Founding Editor of the technology news website Techonomy.
- Gary A. Kirkpatrick: an American judge who served on the Illinois Supreme Court from 1978 to 2002.
- Linden Kirkpatrick: an American former Ambassador to the African Union.
- Charles I. Kirkpatrick: a financier and businessman who was the partner of J. P. Morgan & Co.
- Francis A. Kirkpatrick: a California lawyer who became highly prominent in the 1880s.
- Dorothy Ann Kirkpatrick: an American professor of psychiatry and behavioral sciences at Stanford University.
- William Kirkpatrick: an American Christian music composer and arranger who composed music for Sunday school hymns.
- John Kirkpatrick: an Australian actor best known for his roles in The Castle, Kath and Kim, and The Secret Life of Us.
- Jim Kirkpatrick: an American race car driving champion from Virginia. He was a member of the "Champions of Racing" voting panel for the NASCAR Hall of Fame
- Alfred H. Kirkpatrick: an American federal judge for the United States District Court for the Northern District of Illinois.