Surname Kirwan - Meaning and Origin
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Kirwan: What does the surname Kirwan mean?
The last name Kirwan is of Irish and Gaelic origin. It is one of the most popular clans of Ireland, originating from the province of Connacht in the west. The name is derived from the Gaelic phrase "ceathrú Choirín," meaning "small standing stone." The Kirwans are said to be descended from the legendary King of Connacht, Cahir Mor.
Kirwan was a very respected name in early Irish society. Their family lands, known as the kingdom of Uí Chorraín, were located in what is now Coumduff in County Galway and they were known for their strong opposition to the British and Norman invasions.
The luxurious wooden castle of Kirwan, located in County Galway is now in ruins, but it's still one of the most important historical monuments in Ireland. As a reminder of the powerful Kirwan clan, iconography featuring the Kirwan coat of arms is also seen in the area. It displays marshalled arms of the families of Kirwan, with the heraldic colors of blue-black-silver-gold.
Today, Kirwan is still a very common surname. It is quite popular in Ireland, but is also found in Scotland, England, and some other parts of the world. The Kirwan family has spread out in all directions, but is still fondly remembered as one of the most distinguished and powerful of Irish clans.
Order DNA origin analysisKirwan: Where does the name Kirwan come from?
The last name Kirwan is most commonly found in Ireland, where it is an anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic name O Ciardhubhain which means "the descendant of the crafty one". There are approximately 5,000 people in Ireland bearing the name and a further 7,000 living in the United Kingdom. Other countries with a significant population of Kirwans include Canada, the United States, Australia and New Zealand.
In Ireland, the majority of people named Kirwan are found in the province of Connacht, which includes the counties of Galway and Mayo. However, there are also settlements of Kirwans in most other counties, such as Dublin and Monaghan.
In the US, the name has become more numerous with the immigration of Irish and Northern Irish people. There are now significant numbers of Kirwans living in 34 of the US states, with the largest population of them (over 2,000) living in Massachusetts which was a major destination for Irish immigrants into the US.
In other countries with a more recent connection to Irish settlers, such as Canada and Australia, the numbers of Kirwans are not as high as in the US and UK, but it is still a fairly common name to encounter.
Variations of the surname Kirwan
The surname Kirwan has multiple variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin in various parts of the world. In Ireland, it is the anglicized version of the Irish surname Ó Ciardháin meaning the ‘descendant of Ciardhán’, a personal name meaning ‘black one’. Alternate spelling variations of the name include O'Kirwan, Kirwan, O'Kearan, Kearan, Kirwen, O'Kirwen.
In Scotland, Kirwan is an Anglicised variation of the Scottish patronymic Mac Giolla Chuimín, meaning ‘son of the devotee of Mhuimin.’ Variations of the name include MacGilvane, MacGilleboyne, MacIllevain, and MacGillvane.
In England, England the Kirwan family originated in Cheshire and Shropshire on the Welsh border; the family acquired its name from the place in Cheshire called Kirwan, in the township of Shawbury. Variations of the name include Cairn, Cairns, Cern, Cearns, and Kearns.
The surname can also be found in Germany with the spelling Kirchwehn.
In the United States, the surname Kirwan is most commonly of Irish descent, but it is also of English, Scottish, and Welsh origin. Due to the immigration of settlers from different countries, the surname has become more widespread in the United States. Variations of the name include Kerwin, Kerwen, Kirwen, and Kern.
Famous people with the name Kirwan
- Danny Kirwan: British guitarist, singer and songwriter who was a member of Fleetwood Mac from 1968 to 1972.
- Barbara Kirwan: British songwriter who co-wrote the song “Total Eclipse of the Heart” with Jim Steinman.
- Clive Kirwan: British record producer and musician who has worked with artists such as Elton John and George Michael.
- Steve Kirwan: Canadian politician and former Western Hockey League player who was the mayor of Kamloops, BC from 2011-2018.
- Colin Kirwan: Irish professional footballer who played in the Premier League for Aston Villa and Leicester City.
- Trev Kirwan: Australian actor, best known for his roles in Neighbours, Home and Away, and Blue Heelers.
- Rory Kirwan: English actor and singer who starred in the musical Oliver! in the West End.
- Graham Kirwan: Irish former professional footballer who played for several professional clubs.
- Ole Kirwan: Danish ballroom dancer who reached the semifinals of the British Open Professional Ballroom Championship in 2007.
- John Kirwan: New Zealand rugby union player and coach who is also the mental health Ambassador for New Zealand.