Surname Kirbough - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kirbough: What does the surname Kirbough mean?
The surname Kirbough is of English origin and might have come from the Old English personal name Ceorra, which could have been derived from the Proto-Germanic element 'kher' which means 'roam' or 'bare'. This was a common name among the Anglo-Saxons of the early Middle Ages, and its variant form Ceor road was used to describe a 'ceorl', a free Saxon inhabitant of the country.
Kirbough could also have originated from the Old French term 'Carbaus' which translates to 'charcoal-burner'. Both of these earlier terms are likely to have become popular during the medieval period, when the surname was first established in England.
The name Kirbough may also have been associated with the Norman Baronial family of Erbault, who settled in Northamptonshire during the 12th century. It is likely that some members of this family adopted the surname as a way of representing their status in the local community.
The word ‘Kirbough’ itself has uncertain origins, but is thought to be derived from the Old English words ‘Kyre’, which means Duchess, and ‘Boga’ which translate to ‘bow’. Together they could have been used to reflect an individual’s roles, possibly as a highly-ranked member of a noble court.
Given its many possible derivations, the surname Kirbough could have come to represent numerous different English families throughout the ages, each with their own unique histories.
Order DNA origin analysisKirbough: Where does the name Kirbough come from?
The last name Kirbough is relatively rare, with most people bearing the name residing in the United States. In the United States, the majority of the population of people with the Kirbough last name can be found in Pennsylvania and Florida.
In Pennsylvania, the Kirbough name is particularly concentrated in the southwestern region near Pittsburg. The state also has moderate concentrations near Philadelphia, and smaller ones near Scranton and Allentown. According to some estimates, slightly more than 1,000 people in Pennsylvania currently bear the Kirbough name.
In Florida, the name is found primarily in the panhandle area, including Okaloosa and Santa Rosa counties. According to some estimates, slightly less than 500 people in Florida have the Kirbough surname.
Overall, the Kirbough name is rare enough to be considered uncommon in the United States. It is most common in the states of Pennsylvania and Florida, although there are smaller concentrations of individuals throughout the United States. The name can also be found in other English-speaking countries, although it is quite rare.
Variations of the surname Kirbough
The surname Kirbough, is an anglicized version of the Irish name, O’Ciarbhaigh which dates back to the 10th Century. The English spelling of the name has been subject to a number of variants throughout its history. It is sometimes thought to be a derivative of the name Kerwick, although there is evidence that it predates this by some centuries.
The main variants of Kirbough are Kerbaugh, Kerbow, Kerbough and Kirbow. As well as these, a number of other surnames have the same origin. These include: Carrbaugh, Kerbity, Kirbey, Kirbie, Kirbus, Kerby, Kirbiss, Kirbs, Kirbuc, Kirbuis, Kerbyhill, Kerbyhuise, Carbylowe, Carbyhoe, Kirbyfield, Kirowsa and Kerbyshell.
Alternative spellings can also be found throughout the history of the surname, some of which include: Kurbough, Kerbouth, Kirbouh, Kirbowgh, Kerbaughghe, Kerbawe, Kirboygh, Kerbyhous(e), Kerbowghe, Carbyho, Kirboygh, Kirboy, Kirbeigh, Kerbeugh, Kerbey, Kirbass, Kirbassaw and Kerbay.
Despite this list of seemingly different surnames, all are actually closely related, as they are all from the same origin and have the same base meaning which translates into ‘descendant of Ciarbhaigh’.
Famous people with the name Kirbough
- David Kirbough: a former professional skier and ski instructor who competed in four World Championship.
- Lawrence Kirbough: a psychologist who conducts research on trauma recovery in children and adolescents.
- Reza Kirbough: a doctor and researcher who has done extensive work on transcranial direct current stimulation.
- Tim Kirbough: a computer scientist who has been instrumental in making the internet access more widespread.
- David Kirbough: a Pulitzer prize winning journalist who wrote several books about the Middle East and its conflict with the United States.
- Christopher Kirbough: a director, screenwriter, and producer who created the Academy Award winning film Slumdog Millionaire.
- Jessica Kirbough: a visual artist who works with mediums such as painting, sculpture, and photography.
- Katie Kirbough: a musician and singer-songwriter whose debut album peaked within the top 10 of the US Billboard chart.
- Jack Kirbough: a professional football player who was an All-American and Pro Bowl selection several times throughout his career.
- Robert Kirbough: a professor of philosophy and a respected scholar in the field of ethics.