Surname Kirlin - Meaning and Origin
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Kirlin: What does the surname Kirlin mean?
The last name Kirlin originated in Germany and is derived from the Old German term ‘Kirlin’ which means ‘car3le’, and is a reference to someone who was a small village official or local judge. The name is found primarily in the Germany and the United States today, with more people with the surname living in America than in Germany.
The surname Kirlin first appeared in the Middle Ages when local administration began to form. An official was required to manage disputes and administer justice in a small or rural community. This official was called the ‘Kirlin’ and he held a respected position in the community.
It is likely that the surname migrated to America with German immigrants in the mid-1800s. Those individuals who bore the name Kirlin in the United States can trace their families back to Germany and the original meaning of the name.
The Kirlin name is still common among modern families and is especially prevalent among communities with a strong German heritage. It is believed that the name has not significantly altered over the centuries and that the original meaning of the name has been preserved.
Those bearing the Kirlin name have a proud and distinguished family history that is associated with an important role in local governance and justice. A surname can tell us a lot about a family's story and the Kirlin surname is proof that this holds true.
Order DNA origin analysisKirlin: Where does the name Kirlin come from?
The last name Kirlin is most commonly found in the United States, where it ranks as the 8,028th most common surname. In the United States, the states with the highest concentrations of Kirlin residents are Illinois, Pennsylvania and Wisconsin, with the most activity seen in the Chicago area.
Outside the United States, Kirlin can also be found in Germany, Austria and the Czech Republic. In Germany, Kirlin ranks as the 18,634th most common surname with concentrations seen in the regions of Lower Saxony, North Rhine-Westphalia and Bavaria. In Austria, Kirlin ranks prominently at the 3,285th position with heaviest activity in the states of Vienna, Styria and Lower Austria.
Kirlin surnames are believed to have originated from several pools such as German or Czech. German origins believe that the Kirlin name derived from the ancient German name Kerlin which became Kirchlin and then later Kirlin. This could have come from a trade, profession or location.
The works of a particular individual can also be a factor in the spread of the last name. Eberhard and Ludwig Kirlin, a pair of early 19th century German physicians who specialized in ophthalmology, are believed to have been the ancestors of many of the Kirlin surnames in Europe.
Variations of the surname Kirlin
The surname Kirlin is of Irish origin and can be spelled a variety of ways, including Kerlin, Kherlin, Kurlan, Kirlan and Kirlen. Variations on the spelling of the surname have occurred in both Ireland and England for many centuries. In Ireland, it is most commonly found as Kerlin, Kherlin and Kirlan, while in England it is prevalent as Kirlen.
The surname Kirlin dates back to a time when families chose to use a less common spelling in order to distinguish themselves from other families. It became especially popular among Ulster Irish emigrants to England in the 19th century. Common variations of the Kirlin surname are Kerlin, Kherlin, Kurlan, Kirlan and Kirlen, while other less common spellings including the Carlin, Curlee and specifically Kerrigan.
Kirlin is also a German surname originating from the state of Baden in southern Germany. In German, the spelling of this surname is Kerlin. The Carlin family descended from this Kirlin surname, which originated in Baden-Wurttemberg.
The Kirlin surname is found in several other countries, including Ireland, England, Australia, Canada and the United States. Many descendants of these families have changed the spelling, making it even more difficult to trace the origins of the surname. Many spelling variants of the surname, such as Carlin, Kurlan, Kirlan and Kirlen, are listed in the United States Census.
Famous people with the name Kirlin
- Michael Kirlin: American actor best known for his roles in the films House of Wax and Santana.
- Donald Kirlin: American politician and lawyer who served as the mayor of Omaha, Nebraska from 1971 to 1975.
- Casey Kirlin: retired Major League Baseball catcher who played for the Cincinnati Reds and the Kansas City Royals.
- Ilana Kirlin: American photographer and visual artist based in Seattle, Washington.
- Chris Kirlin: American actor, writer, and musician best known for his role as Wyatt in the Disney XD television series Mighty Med.
- Jeff Kirlin: American professional baseball player who pitched for the Oakland Athletics from 1997 to 2002.
- Curt Kirlin: American football player who played defensive end for the Pittsburgh Steelers from 1995 to 2001.
- Mark Kirlin: American actor who starred in the Broadway production of Jekyll and Hyde.
- Jonathan Kirlin: American composer best known for creating the musical score for the Spike TV show Unsupersize Me.
- Erich Kirlin: German sociologist and professor of sociology and modern social issues at Heidelberg University.