Surname Kirtley - Meaning and Origin

Kirtley: What does the surname Kirtley mean?

The last name Kirtley was most likely derived from the Old English word kirk or kyrk, which means church. It is thought to have been a toponymic surname, meaning it was derived from the name of a nearby geographical feature.

Kirtley is typically thought of as an English or Scottish name, although it can also be found in Wales and Northern Ireland. In early records, some forms of the surname were spelled Kerseley, Kerly, and Kirkylie.

In the past, the Kirtley family was said to have been of a gentrified rural background, often noble and well-educated, and likely to have had some connection to the church, though this is hazy. The word itself has symbolic origins, as the Old English word kirk was associated with the Greek word kyrios, meaning “lord” or “master.” This gives the name a certain dignified air to it.

Throughout more modern times, the Kirtley surname has marched through the generations alongside the masses, with families having nothing to do with the ecclesiastical. However, the surname still carries that same element of dignity with it, as any name that has existed for centuries surely must.

Kirtley: Where does the name Kirtley come from?

The last name Kirtley is most commonly found in the United States, especially the Southern states. It is primarily an American family name, although there are some ancestral lines that originate in England. In fact, the earliest public records of a Kirtley in America can be traced back to a 1634 land transaction in Virginia, indicating that the name may have first been recorded in North America as early as the 1600s.

Today, Kirtley is most commonly seen in the states of Virginia, Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, and South Carolina. Within these states, the name is most concentrated in urban areas, particularly cities like Richmond, Louisville, Nashville, Charlotte, and Atlanta. The name may also be found in significantly lower numbers in larger states like Texas, Florida, and California.

Since the early 2000s, the Kirtley surname has risen in popularity, according to estimates from the US government. The growth rate of the name in selecting states is approximately 3%, but much higher in certain regions. That rate suggests that the name is becoming increasingly more prevalent in America and is likely to continue to spread throughout the country in the coming years.

Variations of the surname Kirtley

The surname Kirtley can be spelled in a few different ways, including Kirley, Kirtly, Kirtlee, Kirtle, Kurtle, Kirtel, Kirtelin, Kirtlan, and Kirtlen. These spellings vary slightly in different regions and dialects, but they all derive from the same source.

The surname Kirtley is thought to have its origins in England, as a local name derived from a place name. It is thought to be derived from an Old English term for ‘church wood’ or ‘woodland cleared for the erection of a church’. This suggests that those bearing the Kirtley name likely had some association with the local Church.

In addition to Kirtley, other related surnames include Kirtland, Kirtner, Kirkland, Kirkland, Kirtlen, and Kirchland. These similar surnames could have begun to appear as a result of the many dialects which exist in England.

Many variations of this surname can be found in the United States. Here, the most common spelling is Kirkland. It is likely that this spelling is derived from the variants of Kirtley common in the southern part of the United States.

The Kirtley surname is found throughout the English speaking world, including in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is also found in locations such as Norway, Germany, and the Netherlands.

Regardless of spelling, the Kirtley surname is thought to be of British origin and likely linked to the local Church in some way.

Famous people with the name Kirtley

• James Kirtley: Former English cricketer and current First-Class umpire
• Mark Kirtley: Professional golfer on the PGA Tour
• Lydia Kirtley: American sculptor, works primarily in bronze
• Brian Kirtley: Folk singer-songwriter from the United States
• Ali Kirtley: British actress
• George Kirtley: American playwright
• Laura Kirtley: Award-winning journalist and editor
• Courtney Kirtley: Actress
• William Kirtley: Writer and journalist
• Collin Kirtley: Former American football player in the NFL

Other surnames

Kirtland