Surname Kirkland - Meaning and Origin
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Tracing the Kirkland Surname through iGENEA DNA testing: A Journey of Genetic Discovery
On a journey into my ancestral roots with the iGENEA DNA test, I discovered the fascinating genetic heritage of my surname, Kirkland. The results primarily associated it with the Western Europe's most common paternal lineage, haplogroup R1b, pointing to my European heritage. The test also revealed intriguing subgroups, indicating probable Celtic and Viking ancestry and affirmed the historical presence of Kirkland in regions like Scotland, Northern England, and notably in the Orkney Islands.
C. Kirkland
read moreKirkland: What does the surname Kirkland mean?
The surname Kirkland is of Anglo-Saxon origin, and is a locational name from any of the several places in Northern England and Southern Scotland named with the Old Norse 'kirkja' meaning 'church', and 'land', 'land' in Old English. So, the surname essentially means 'church land'. It would have been used to identify someone who lived near or on church-owned property.
The name dates back to the early 13th century, making it a very old and historically significant surname. Over the centuries, it has various spelling forms, including Kirtland, Kirtlan, Kirkeland, Kirklan and Kirklin.
As with many old English surnames, Kirkland spread across the globe through emigration, and can now be found in countries including the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. Many places are also named Kirkland, such as the city of Kirkland in Washington, USA.
It's important to note that due to regional differences and immigration, the exact meaning and origin of the surname can differ from person to person, depending on their family history.
Order DNA origin analysisKirkland: Where does the name Kirkland come from?
The surname Kirkland is of Anglo-Saxon origin and derives from Old Norse 'kirkja' or 'kirk' meaning church, and 'land', denoting someone who lived near a church or had ecclesiastical authority. Originally it was used as a place name for areas in Lancashire and Cumbria in England. Kirkland as a surname evolved when individuals adopted the name of their former residence after moving from their original homeland, thus being referred to as someone 'from Kirkland'.
Due to historical migrations and diaspora, Kirkland is now found all across the English-speaking world, particularly in the United States. In England, it is more prevalent in the north-west regions of Lancashire and Cumbria, conforming to the original geographic locations of the place name. Besides, it is also observed in Scotland, although with less frequency compared to England and the US. In the contemporary world, the modern interconnectedness has further spread this surname to a wider range of locations.
Variations of the surname Kirkland
The surname Kirkland has a few known variants, spellings and related surnames of the same or similar origin. These variations can be attributed to a mixture of linguistic and geographic factors. The name itself originates from Scotland and Northern England, where it was used as a topographic surname for someone who lived on or near church-owned land.
Given the phonetic similarities and language shifts over time, Kirkland can also be represented as Kirk, Kerk, or Kirke. It's not uncommon to find Kirkland spelled with an added 'e', as in Kirkeland or double, like in Kirkkland.
Alternate variations of the surname Kirkland include Kirklin, Kirklen, or Kirklan. The transformation of 'd' to 'n' in these iterations is likely due to pronunciation differences in various regions.
Adding a prefix or suffix was common practice in many historical contexts. We might see this reflected in such variations as McKirkland or Kirklandson.
In terms of related surnames of similar origin, consideration must be given to names like Churchland or Chapel, which literally translates to the same meaning given to Kirkland.
Please note that exact matches or derivations may vary based on regional and individual family histories.
Famous people with the name Kirkland
- Sam Kirkland: Actor, artist, and model best known for appearing in projects such as One Tree Hill, The Gifted, and The Well.
- Clint Kirkland: American actor and model best known for appearing as Mike on the television series My Name is Earl.
- Allen Kirkland: American voice actor, singer, songwriter, and athlete who has provided voices for several anime series, including The Seven Deadly Sins and Wolf's Rain.
- Aidan Kirkland: Canadian actor, writer, and producer who has appeared in films such as Big Bully and Reviving Ophelia and the television series Killjoys.
- Shana Kirkland: American film and television actress, model, and voice actress who has appeared in shows such as Criminal Minds, Malcolm in the Middle, and Life Goes On.
- Shannon Kirkland: British actress who has appeared in films like Snow White and the Huntsman and A Knight's Tale and in television series like Colditz.
- Shannon Kirkland II: American voice actress and singer who has provided voices for anime and video games, including Final Fantasy and Inazuma Eleven.
- Francis Kirkland: English actor, known for his roles in The Avengers and Trunk.
- Debra Kirkland: Australian actor best known for her roles in feature films including Road Rage, Human Kind, and The Day of the Roses.
- Whitney Kirkland: American singer known for being one of the lead performers in the backup choir on the television show Nashville.