Surname Kirkman - Meaning and Origin
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Kirkman: What does the surname Kirkman mean?
The surname Kirkman is of Anglo-Saxon origin and is derived from the Old Norse word "kirkja" which means church and the Middle English word "man" which means servant. Therefore, in its simplest interpretation, Kirkman means "church servant".
This name most likely was originally given to people who held the occupational position of a church officer or someone who worked and lived on church grounds. It also could have been used to denote people who lived near or by a church.
During the Middle Ages, surnames often reflected a person's occupation, place of residence, or a significant feature of their identity. Hence, the name Kirkman would have helped to distinguish and identify individuals in a time when first names were often repeated within communities.
It's worth noting that specific interpretations can vary, and the meaning could potentially differ depending on regional and historical contexts. However, the core definition of "church servant" is widely accepted.
Order DNA origin analysisKirkman: Where does the name Kirkman come from?
The surname Kirkman is of Anglo-Saxon origin, derived from Middle English "kirk," or "church," and "man," meaning "servant." Its original use was likely occupational, referring to someone who worked in a church. The name's earliest recorded mention is in the 13th-century Yorkshire, England.
Today, Kirkman is not a highly prevalent name in any particular region. However, it is more commonly found in English-speaking countries due to its origins. As such, substantial populations of Kirkmans can be found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. Still, it remains spread out rather evenly across these regions, without exceptionally high concentrations in specific areas.
Names similar to Kirkman, such as Kirk and Kirkland, are also present in the aforementioned regions, sometimes even more frequently. It's important to remember that the distribution of the surname can change over time due to factors such as migration and intermarriage.
Variations of the surname Kirkman
The surname Kirkman is derived from the occupational term "church-man," from Middle English "kirk" meaning church, and man, referring to one who worked in a church. It's of pre 7th century medieval English origin. Variants of this surname include: Kerckman, Kirkeman, Kirkham, Kirckman, Kirman, Kyrkeman, and Kyrkeham.
The last name Kirkman could also have been topographical, referring to someone who lived near a church, or it could have been a nickname for someone who behaved in a particularly Christian manner.
Some bearers of this name, particularly those from non-English-speaking countries, may have adopted it through anglicization of a similar sounding or similarly-meaning name from their own language. As the spelling of names was not standardized until relatively recently, many variations exist.
While it is less common, there may also be instances where Kirkman is a matronymic name, derived from the bearer's mother's name rather than father's. In this case, the mother would likely have been known by Kirkman as a nickname during her lifetime.
In some regions and cultures, surnames may also be based on a patriarch's occupation, a geographical feature near the family's dwelling, or even a characteristic of the patriarch himself.
Famous people with the name Kirkman
- Robert Kirkman: Robert Kirkman is an American comic book author and television producer. He is best known for creating The Walking Dead, Invincible, and Outcast.
- Chris Kirkman: Chris Kirkman is an American YouTube celebrity and was one of the first to create a popular YouTube show about video games.
- Margaret Kirkman: Margaret Kirkman is an Australian playwright who has written several plays such as the Mexico City-set Agates and the Queensland-set Innisfail.
- Philip William Kirkman Sr.: Philip William Kirkman Sr. was a British barrister and Conservative politician who sat in the House of Commons from 1895 to 1906.
- William Randall Kirkman: William Randall Kirkman was a World War II veteran and a recipient of the Military Medal.
- William Kirkman: William Kirkman was a British lecturer and president of the Mathematical Association from 1907 to 1909.
- Thomas Jeckyll Kirkman: Thomas Jeckyll Kirkman was an English mathematician and a fellow of the Royal Society.
- Ryan Kirkman: Ryan Kirkman was an NFL offensive guard that played on the Seattle Seahawks and the Carolina Panthers.
- Matthew Kirkman: Matthew Kirkman is an Australian cricket player who has represented his country in the 2006 U-19 Cricket World Cup.
- Philip William Kirkman: Philip William Kirkman was a British astronomer who worked on the Mars, Venus, and Moon searches as part of the British Astronomer Royal's team and who also served as the director of the Carte du Ciel survey.