Surname Kirkendall - Meaning and Origin
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Kirkendall: What does the surname Kirkendall mean?
Kirkendall is an English surname with roots in Northern England. The name is of locational origin, denoting someone who either came from or lived near 'Kirkandrews,' old parishes in counties Cumberland and Dumfriesshire primarily. The name Kirkandrews itself is formed from two Old Norse words - 'kirkja,' which means church, and 'Andreas,' which means Andrew. Therefore, Kirkendall or Kirkandrews directly translates to 'the church of Andrew.' The change from 'Kirkandrews' to 'Kirkendall' is thought to have occurred due to dialectal pronunciation over time. Like many surnames that derive from locations, 'Kirkendall' may have been adopted by people when they moved from their original locality, as a form of identification. Note that the spelling of surnames often evolved over centuries as literacy levels were low and names were written down as they sounded.
Order DNA origin analysisKirkendall: Where does the name Kirkendall come from?
The surname Kirkendall is of English origin. It originated from a place in the county of Cumberland (today known as Cumbria), in the northwestern part of England. The name is likely to have been associated with a settlement or a region near the Church on the Hill, as it derived from the Old English words 'kirk,' meaning church, 'ende' signifying end, and 'halh,' a nook or recess.
Today, the surname is spread considerably across various parts of the world due to emigration, particularly in the United States. Data suggests a significant presence of people with the Kirkendall surname in the US states such as Iowa, Illinois, California, and Washington. Other concentrations of Kirkendalls can be found in Idaho and Minnesota. There is also some presence in Canada, England, Australia, and a few other countries. However, in comparison to other more prevalent surnames, Kirkendall would still be considered relatively rare.
Variations of the surname Kirkendall
The surname Kirkendall is of Dutch origin, and variations of the spelling can include Kirkendale, Kirkindoll, Kirkindall, Kirkandall, Kerkendall, Kerkendale, Kircindale, and Kirckindale. These variations arise due to regional accents, literacy rates, and personal preference when the name was written down in English. The surname dates back to early medieval Europe.
It's worth noting that Kirkendall and its variants are patronymic surnames, meaning they would have originally been based on the given name of the father of the initial bearer. The name is composed of elements meaning "church" (kerken) and "valley" (dal), suggesting that the earliest bearers of the surname may have lived near a church in a valley.
While Kirkendall is the most common spelling in the United States, variations appear in other countries such as the United Kingdom, Germany, and the Netherlands. However, the same surname might not necessarily imply relation, as multiple people could have adopted the same surnames independently.
Famous people with the name Kirkendall
- Ryan Kirkendall: actor, best known for his roles on tv series such as Brooklyn Nine-Nine and The Good Place.
- Chris Kirkendall: American football player from the University of Missouri.
- Jim Kirkendall: Retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA in the 1970s.
- Craig Kirkendall: Musician, singer and songwriter, best known for his work with classic rock band Journey.
- Tom Kirkendall: American collegiate football coach, currently the offensive coordinator for Virginia Tech.
- John Kirkendall: Grammy-winning musician and producer, known for working with artists such as Aerosmith and Christina Aguilera.
- Brian Kirkendall: retired American ice hockey player who was an all-star forward for the Detroit Red Wings.
- Arliss Kirkendall: World War II veteran, survivor of the Battle of the Bulge.
- Stephen Kirkendall: Actor, best known for his roles in the 80s classic films Adventures in Babysitting and Ferris Bueller’s Day Off.
- David Kirkendall: Renowned author and religion writer, published works such as the Spiritual Journey of Joseph H. Kirkendall.