Find out how popular the first name Kirkpatrick has been for the last 17 years (from 1989 to 2005) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Kirkpatrick by gender

Based on the last 17 years of data, Kirkpatrick is exclusively a male name.

For the most recent data in 2005, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Kirkpatrick.

The history of the first name Kirkpatrick

The name Kirkpatrick originated in Scotland during the Middle Ages. It is derived from the Scots Gaelic words "cill" meaning church, and "pàdraig" which is the name Patrick. The name literally translates to "church of Patrick" or "Patrick's church."

In the 12th century, families began adopting surnames based on their location or the lands they owned. The Kirkpatrick family likely took their name from the parish of Kilpatrick in the region of Dumbartonshire, Scotland. This area contained an ancient church dedicated to St. Patrick.

One of the earliest recorded uses of the name Kirkpatrick appears in the Ragman Rolls of 1296. This was a historical record of Scottish nobles who were forced to swear fealty to King Edward I of England. The name Ade de Kilpatrick is listed among the signatories.

Throughout the Middle Ages, the Kirkpatrick family played an influential role in Scottish history. Sir Roger Kirkpatrick (c.1335-1357) was a knight who fought alongside King Robert the Bruce at the Battle of Bannockburn in 1314. He is credited with delivering the final blow that killed the Red Comyn, making way for Robert the Bruce's claim to the Scottish throne.

Another notable figure was Sir Thomas Kirkpatrick (c.1491-1537), who served as a diplomat and ambassador for King James V of Scotland. He was sent on several important missions to France and Rome during the Scottish Renaissance period.

In the 17th century, William Kirkpatrick (1638-1681) was a Scottish minister and theologian. He played a key role in the Covenanter movement, which sought to preserve Presbyterian values in Scotland against the impositions of the English crown.

Moving into the 18th century, James Kirkpatrick (1728-1805) was a British East India Company officer who became a diplomat and collector of antiquities in India. He is remembered for his unconventional relationship with the Muslim princess Khair un-Nissa, which caused controversy at the time.

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 Kirkpatrick was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

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

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