Surname Kirklin - Meaning and Origin
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Kirklin: What does the surname Kirklin mean?
The surname Kirklin is of Scottish origin and is believed to be derived from two words 'kirk', which means 'church' in Old Norse, and 'linn', meaning 'lake or pool'. So, broadly translated, Kirklin could mean 'church by the pool or lake'. It could be a geographical surname, typically given to families living near such a locale in ancient times. However, like many surnames, the specific interpretation and origin can vary significantly and may be influenced by factors such as regional dialects and changes in language over time. It has several variant spellings including Kirkland, Kirkling, and Kirtland, among others. The Kirklin surname is not very common, but it is mostly found in the United States, England, and less frequently in Canada, Australia, and Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisKirklin: Where does the name Kirklin come from?
The surname Kirklin is of Scottish origin. It is likely derived from a geographical or occupational term in Old Scots. The prefix 'Kirk' means 'church', hence, it might be indicating families living near a church, or their affiliation with a certain church. It might also hint towards an occupation related to the church, like a church official or servant.
Over the years, due to migration and changing demographics, the Kirklin surname has spread out to many places. Today, it is mostly found in the United States of America, especially in the southern region. Indiana and Alabama have cities named Kirklin signifying a significant presence of people with this surname. It can also be found to a lesser extent in Canada and the United Kingdom.
It's important to note that the presence of a surname in a location doesn't necessarily indicate the cultural or ethnic origin of people who carry that name. Over generations, people move, marry, and change their names, creating a complex map of surname distribution.
Variations of the surname Kirklin
The surname "Kirklin" is of Scottish origin and is derived from the term "Kirk,” which means “church” in Old Norse and Scottish Gaelic languages, and "lin" or "lynn" which is an ancient Scottish term for a waterfall or pool. Variations and different spellings of the name can include Kirkland, Kirklen, Kirklyn, Kerklin, Kercklin, Kerclin, Kerklyn, Kerkland, and Kirklane. Some of these spellings might have evolved due to regional accents and phonetic spelling by those recording birth and death dates. Many Scottish surnames became Americanized upon early settlers' arrival in the New World, so there may be even more variants of the surname. Additionally, surnames could have been changed intentionally for various reasons, creating additional variants on the surname. This surname falls under the category of topographic surnames, which were given to a person who resided near a physical feature such as a hill, stream, church, or type of tree.
Famous people with the name Kirklin
- Rebecca Kirklin: Rebecca Kirklin is a singer/songwriter from Los Angeles who uses her music to promote the power of self-expression and support positive mental health.
- Jacob Kirklin: Jacob Kirklin is an American football tight end, currently signed with the Denver Broncos. He attended the University of Alabama and was a unanimous All-American for the Crimson Tide.
- Charles Kirklin: Charles Kirklin is an American television actor best known for his roles on American Family, Brothers & Sisters, and 90210.
- John Kirklin: John Kirklin was a major figure in the development of cardiac surgery, being the namesake for the "Kirklin system" of operating rooms.
- David Kirklin: David Kirklin was a film producer, director, and actor who began his career in the 1920s making films for the Broadway Stage.
- Bill Kirklin: Bill Kirklin was a jazz saxophonist, playing his saxophones for nearly fifty years. He developed a distinct improvisational style and wrote over 100 original compositions.
- Harvey Kirklin: Harvey Kirklin was an American chemist and Industrial Hygienist who was credited with discovering the concentration of the toxic metals beryllium and nickel.
- James Kirklin: James Kirklin was an American obstetrician and gynecologist who is known for performing groundbreaking work in the development of treatments for external fetal monitoring and development of lifesaving fetal surgical techniques.