Find out how popular the first name Kirkland has been for the last 50 years (from 1974 to 2023) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kirkland by gender

Based on the last 50 years of data, Kirkland is more commonly used as a male name, with approximately 99% of people named Kirkland being male.

For the most recent data in 2023, there were 7 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kirkland.

The history of the first name Kirkland

The given name Kirkland traces its origins to the Old English language and is derived from the words "cirice" meaning church and "land" meaning land or estate. This combination suggests that the name was likely associated with individuals who lived on church-owned lands or estates during the medieval period in England.

In its earliest recorded forms, the name appeared as "Circelund" or "Cyriclund" in various Anglo-Saxon charters and records from the 7th to 11th centuries. These variations reflect the spelling conventions and regional dialects of the time.

One of the earliest documented individuals with the name Kirkland was Cyriclund of Wessex, a Saxon landowner who lived in the late 9th century. He was mentioned in the Codex Diplomaticus Aevi Saxonici, a collection of Anglo-Saxon charters and records.

Another notable figure was Walter de Kirkland, a 13th-century English knight and landowner from Yorkshire. He was mentioned in the Feet of Fines records, which documented land transactions in medieval England.

During the Renaissance period, Kirkland Burgess (c. 1500-1564) was a prominent English merchant and member of the Worshipful Company of Mercers in London. He was a benefactor of several charitable institutions and left bequests in his will.

In the 17th century, Thomas Kirkland (1628-1698) was an English clergyman and author who served as the rector of Yoxford in Suffolk. He wrote several religious works, including "The Excellency of Humility" and "The Dignity of Christian Priesthood."

Another notable figure was John Kirkland (1770-1828), an American clergyman and educator who served as the president of Harvard University from 1810 to 1828. He was a prominent figure in the intellectual and religious life of New England during his time.

While these are just a few examples, the name Kirkland has a rich history dating back to the Anglo-Saxon period and has been borne by individuals from various backgrounds, including landowners, merchants, clergy, and educators.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Kirkland was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Kirkland, please contact us.

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