Surname Kirpatrick - Meaning and Origin
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Kirpatrick: What does the surname Kirpatrick mean?
The surname Kirpatrick is an anglicised version of the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Phádraig, which means “son of the devotee of Patrick”. It is usually borne by families of Irish or Scottish origin who are descended from a chief whose ancestor, or progenitor, dedicated himself to service under St. Patrick, the patron saint of Ireland.
Two possible etymologies have been suggested for the surname’s origin. The first is that the name is derived from the Gaelic term “mac” meaning “son”, combined with the word “giollapadraic” meaning “steward of Patrick”; this interpretation relates to the historical custom of a family dedicating its service to some particular church or religious figure, in this case St Patrick.
The second etymology suggests that the name is a combination of the Gaelic terms “giolla” meaning “Servant”, and “Padraic” meaning “Patrick”. This interpretation correlates with the term “mac Giolla Phádraig” which translates as “devotee of Patrick” and suggests that a family ancestor had pledged service to St. Patrick.
Regardless, the surname Kirpatrick is a testament to the family’s ties to Irish and Scottish history and culture, as well to the legacy of St. Patrick, and it reflects a devotion and respect that is still honoured today.
Order DNA origin analysisKirpatrick: Where does the name Kirpatrick come from?
The last name Kirpatrick is of Scots-Irish origin, likely derived from the name Fitzpatrick. It is a common surname today, especially in Northern Ireland and Scotland, as well as many parts of England, but also in other parts of the United Kingdom and internationally. The name is especially popular in the United States, Australia, and Canada, where it is the 169th most common surname according to research from Ancestry.com.
Within the United States, the surname Kirpatrick is most common in the Mid-Atlantic, Northern Plains, and Upper Midwest regions, with the highest density in Ohio, followed by Pennsylvania, West Virginia, Maryland, Mississippi, and Iowa. In Canada, Kirpatrick is the 163rd most common surname, with the highest incidence in Ontario, and Alberta also ranking in the top five. Finally, in Australia, it is the 206th most common name, with the highest concentration in New South Wales, Victoria, and South Australia.
Interestingly, Kirpatrick is also found in smaller numbers in some other parts of the world such as Japan, Norway, Sweden, and France, where the name was likely influenced by Irish emigration. All in all, the name is spread quite widely today and is particularly associated with the British Isles.
Variations of the surname Kirpatrick
The surname Kirpatrick is a popular spelling of the surname Kirkpatrick and has many other spelling variants. The surname is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Giolla Phádraig, derived from the elements "mac" meaning "son of" and "giolla" and "patraic" both meaning "Patrick".
Kirpatrick is the most common spelling of the surname, but there are many others. Some of the most popular are Kirkpatric, Kirpatrick, Kirkpatricke, Kippetrick, Kirkpatron, Kirpatric, Kittrick, and Kilpatrick.
The respective Irish, Scottish and Manx forms of the surname are Mac Giolla Phádraig, Mac Gille Phàdraig and Mac Gibbon.
Kilpatrick, Kirkpatrick and Kirpatrick are all distinct surnames; Kilpatrick is an Irish surname of Norman origin while Kirkpatrick is a Scots name most commoly found in Dumfriesshire, and is of French origins.
Kirpatrick is also found in a diminutive form, with the spelling Kirpatric or Kilpatric. There are also vocalized spellings, where either the ‘k’ or ‘i’ is replaced with a ‘g’, such as Girpatrick, Girkpatrick, Girkpatric, Girpatric, or Gilpatric.
The variants for the surname Kirpatrick can also be found combined with other surnames such as Fletcher-Kirpatrick, Reid-Kirpatrick, Paterson-Kirpatrick and Smith-Kirpatrick.
The most likely of the Kirpatrick variants to have been used in historic records is the Scottish spelling of Kirkpatrick, so this can be helpful when searching for records of those of the Kirpatrick family.
Famous people with the name Kirpatrick
- Ian Kirkpatrick: Grammy-nominated songwriter, producer, and mix engineer behind hits like Selena Gomez’s “Lose You to Love Me” and Maroon 5’s “Girls Like You.”
- Margaret Kirkpatrick: British classical violinist, recording artist, and professor of music at the University of Northern Iowa.
- Francis Kirpatrick: Irish journalist and editor of The Irish Times from 1946 to 1971.
- Maureen Kirkpatrick: American long-distance runner and Olympic medalist from the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.
- Lisa Kirkpatrick: Australian Paralympic swimmer and gold medal winner at the 1996 Atlanta Games.
- Tom Kirkpatrick: American polo player and inductee into the National Museum of Polo and Hall of Fame.
- Veronica Kirpatrick: American actress and director best known for her roles in Grey’s Anatomy and Law & Order.
- Lara Kirkpatrick-Burke: British equestrian showjumper and three-time Olympian.
- Benjamin Kirpatrick: Canadian actor, known for his appearances in films like The Fifth Estate and The Returned.
- William Kirpatrick: British composer, conductor, and college professor who composed symphonies, operas, and chamber works.