Surname Kirsop - Meaning and Origin

Kirsop: What does the surname Kirsop mean?

The last name Kirsop is of English origin. It derives from the Middle English word "kirk," meaning "church" and the Old English word "sceop," meaning "shepherd." Put together, the name Kirsop literally means "church shepherd," likely referring to a person who tended to the flock of a local church or an area's overall religious population.

The name is a reference to a particularly important figure in the Middle Ages. At this time, Christianity was a powerful and important force, and those who tended the flock of a church were held in high esteem, particularly by the population which their work supported.

Historically, the Kirsop surname might have belonged to someone who was a church official or who held a senior religious position. Today, Kirsop is most often found in England, although the name can be found in other countries across the world, in locations where families with the name emigrated.

In terms of personal meaning, the last name Kirsop may speak to a person's faith and spiritual inclinations, particularly if they have an interest in religious history. It is a reminder of the most important roles of our ancestry, and many may carry this surname with pride.

Kirsop: Where does the name Kirsop come from?

The last name Kirsop is an English patronymic surname that originates from the given name "Kirk," which was derived from the Old Norse word "kirkja," which translates to "church." This surname is most commonly found today in England, Scotland, Australia, the United States, and Canada.

In England, the Kirsop surname appears to be concentrated primarily in the south-west parts of the country, as well as in nearby Wales.

In Scotland, the surname appears to be most prevalent in Aberdeenshire.

In Australia, the majority of records with this name appear in the southeastern region of Victoria, particularly in and around Melbourne. It is also present in other states, such as New South Wales, Queensland, and South Australia.

The surname is fairly common in the United States. Most of the occurrence was due to the 19th century migration of English settlers to America. It is particularly concentrated in a few states such as Maine, Massachusetts, New Hampshire, and Ohio.

In Canada, the greatest number of people with this surname is found in Ontario, especially in the Greater Toronto Area and Ottawa Region.

It is possible to trace the history and geographic distribution of the Kirsop surname by searching genealogy databases, such as Ancestry.com, to discover more information about the individuals and their families who have borne this name.

Variations of the surname Kirsop

Kirsop is an uncommon English surname with a few variants and spellings. The most common variant of Kirsop is Kearsop, with both variants originating from a similar Old English root which meant dry valley. The Kearsop variant is likely to be found more frequently as it comes from a more recent locational origin.

Other possible variants and spellings of Kirsop may include Kirsop, Keirsopp, Kearsop, Kearsoppe, Kersopp, Kersope, Kyrsop, Kyrsopp, Kysop, and Kysopp. This wide range of spelling variations can usually be attributed to factors such as poor record-keeping practices or the ubiquity of dialects.

The surname Kirsop can also be seen used as a patronymic name, such as the surnames Kearsope, Kearsopson, Kearsopson, Kyrsopson and Kyrsepson.

Kyrsop is also occasionally used as a forename, or as a middle name element. For example, the English novelist Theresa Kyrsop (born Theresa Lindop) was born in 1963 and lives in Nottinghamshire.

The spelling of the surname Kirsop can also vary across generations, as well as according to its geographic location. For instance, the surname Kiresoppe is commonly used in the United States, and the variant Keersop is more commonly found in Wales.

In summary, Kirsop can be spelled in a range of ways, both in the original form and as a patronymic. It is even occasionally used as a forename. Variations of the Kirsop surname can be found all over the English-speaking world, adapting to the different dialects and record-keeping practices in each region.

Famous people with the name Kirsop

• Jo Kirsop: Former Australia women's national basketball team captain and renowned 3x3 international player.
• Max Kirsop: Highly sought-after Australian golf coach and golf instructor.
• Sue Kirsop: Experienced Australian sports physician and team doctor for the Collingwood Football Club.
• David Kirsop: Winner of the 1984 Australian Rally Championship and prominent filmmaker, specializing in short films and documentaries.
• Joe Kirsop: Retired English rugby union footballer who played as a flanker.
• Felicity Kirsop: Award-winning Australian film and television screenwriter best known for creating the successful drama series, Love Child.
• Matthew Kirsop: League of Legends pro player and prominent e-sports commentator.
• Leanne Kirsop: Australian fashion designer with an eye for unique, sustainable styles.
• Suzie Kirsop: International Interior Designer and co-founder of the KK&K Design Studio.
• Blaien Kirsop: Professional MTB racer who has earned several spots on podiums in the Australian National Series.

Other surnames

Kirsopp