Surname Tirkinton - Meaning and Origin
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Tirkinton: What does the surname Tirkinton mean?
The surname Tirkinton is believed to be of English origin, likely derived from a geographical location, as was common in the naming conventions of medieval England. However, its exact meaning and origin are not clear, as it is relatively rare and not well-documented. Its spelling variations include Turkington, Torkington, and Turkenton, which may provide some clues to its meaning. For instance, "Turkington" could suggest a connection to the Turkic peoples, while "Torkington" might indicate a place of "Tor's people" or "Thor's settlement." It's also worth noting that the "-ton" ending typically represents "town" or "settlement" in Old English. Ultimately, the meaning and origin of the surname Tirkinton can only be speculated until further historical or linguistic evidence is discovered.
Order DNA origin analysisTirkinton: Where does the name Tirkinton come from?
The surname Tirkinton is most commonly found today among those living in the United Kingdom and the United States. An analysis of statistics provided by online surname mapping service Forebears suggests that most occurrences of the name are in England, where it is most commonly found in Kent and Lancashire. In the US it is most commonly found in the states of California, Florida, Illinois, and Texas.
It is likely that Tirkinton is a relatively modern name as it has not been found in any records before the 18th century. It appears that the name is a combination of elements derived from two English surnames; Tir(g)ein and Tont(on). 'Tir(g)ein' derives from the Old English personal name 'Tirgien', meaning 'bold/courageous hunter'. 'Tont(on)' likely originated from the Old French personal name 'Tonto', meaning 'foolish/uncouth'.
Research into the family history of individuals with this name suggests that the Tirkinton surname originated in south-east England and is traditionally associated with farming. It is possible that this surname originated as a patronymic, a type of surname derived from the given name of a father or ancestor. The name was likely passed down through the generations of a particular family as they moved around the country.
Today, individuals bearing the surname Tirkinton are mostly descendants of the English families who initially adopted the name in the 18th century.
Variations of the surname Tirkinton
The surname Tirkinton is an anglicised spelling of the Irish surname Tir Chonaill which, in turn, is of Gaelic origin. Its variant spellings include Tierconnell, Tirconnell, Tirconell, Terconnell and Torconell. The Irish Irish form of the name is Ó Taircealáin, with Ó meaning 'son of'. It is derived from the forbear Taircealán, a personal name of unclear origin.
The Tirkinton surname is found primarily in County Donegal, Ireland, where it is by far the most common variant spelling. The majority of the name bearers can be found in the North-East of the County, most commonly in the parish of Clonleigh and in the towns of Letterkenny, Ballybofey and Convoy.
A number of derivatives can also be found throughout Ireland, Scotland and England. The most common of these is the Tirkinton derivative, Tirkeenan, which is found in Scotland and England. The contemporary private surname O’Kiernen is thought to have originated from the Tirkeenan surname and is still found around the Isle of Man.
Those with the Tirkinton surname may also be related to one of three historical noble families who bear the same surname and can be traced back to the late 11th century. These include the O’Taircealáins of Tireconnell (in County Mayo), the O’Taircealáins of Tireconner (in County Roscommon) and the O’Taircealláins of Firg and Farney. Each of these families were related to powerful family dynasties and traced their descent to the Uí Briúin dynasty.
In conclusion, the surname Tirkinton is an anglicised spelling of the Irish surname Tir Chonaill and has a variety of different spellings and surnames that can be traced back to County Donegal in Ireland.
Famous people with the name Tirkinton
- Jonathan Tirkinton: British political consultant and former deputy chief of staff to the Secretary of State for Justice in the UK.
- Sydnee Tirkinton: Australian actress and model.
- Gary Tirkinton: English association football player.
- Reggie Tirkinton: American professional basketball player.
- Gordon Tirkinton: British Olympic skeet shooter.
- Justin Tirkinton: Former professional American football player.
- Marius Tirkinton: Dutch entrepreneur and philanthropist.
- Connie Tirkinton: American author and social activist.
- Jeff Tirkinton: Canadian television producer, writer, and director.
- Anthony Tirkinton: British theatre producer and director.
- Kirsten Tirkinton: British stage and screen actor.
- Abigail Tirkinton: British actress.
- Jake Tirkinton: British singer-songwriter.
- Traci Tirkinton: American musician and songwriter.
- Janice Tirkinton: British politician and former Member of Parliament for Birmingham Perry Bar.
- Madeline Tirkinton: British actress and executive producer.
- Lainey Tirkinton- American model and film actress.
- Candace Tirkinton: American physical therapist and activist.
- Iris Tirkinton: British rock musician.
- Myra Tirkinton: American stage and screen actor.