Find out how popular the last name Kirk'ton is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Kirk'ton.

Kirk'ton, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Kirk'ton surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of Kirk'ton in America

Kirk'ton is the 150436th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Kirk'ton surname appeared 100 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname Kirk'ton.

The history of the last name Kirk'ton

The surname Kirkton originates from Scotland and is believed to have been established around the early Middle Ages, approximately between the 12th and 14th centuries. Scotland is known for its rich tapestry of historical surnames, and Kirkton is no exception. The name itself is a locational surname, derived from the Old Norse word "kirkja," meaning church, and the Old English word "tun," meaning enclosure or settlement. Thus, Kirkton can be interpreted to mean "Church settlement" or "Church town," reflecting its geographical and ecclesiastical connotations.

The earliest references to the surname Kirkton can be traced back to feudal Scotland where land ownership and parish boundaries often dictated surnames. The name might appear in various medieval land charters and ecclesiastical records, bearing witness to the establishment of church settlements. The Kirkton spelling has remained relatively consistent, although variations such as Kyrketon and Kirktoun can be found in old manuscripts.

One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname was Robert de Kirkton, who was listed as a witness in a land grant document in the late 12th century. His involvement in such documents indicates that he was a person of some standing, likely connected to the Church or local governance. Another early bearer of the name, Sir John Kirkton, appears in records from the mid-13th century as a landowner in the region of Fife.

Historical manuscripts also mention the Kirkton family during the reign of King David II of Scotland, with Hugh Kirkton being a notable name. Hugh was documented as a loyal supporter of the king, serving in various military campaigns against English forces around the year 1350. His contributions to the Scottish resistance were significant enough to be recorded in chronicles of the time.

In the 15th century, James Kirkton of Aberdeenshire gained prominence as a cleric and scribe. He played an essential role in preserving ecclesiastical documents and ensuring the continuity of church records. His meticulous work has allowed modern historians to have a clearer understanding of early Scottish ecclesiastical history.

By the early 17th century, the Kirkton surname had spread beyond its Scottish origins. William Kirkton, born in 1598, is noted as an early settler in North America, part of the wave of Scots seeking new opportunities across the Atlantic. His descendants went on to establish themselves in various colonies, carrying the name forward into the new world.

Throughout history, the Kirkton surname has been associated with individuals who played pivotal roles in both ecclesiastical and local governance. The name has survived centuries largely due to its strong associations with church settlements and landownership. The Kirkton legacy, deeply rooted in Scottish heritage, continues to be a testament to the enduring nature of locational surnames and their historical significance.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Kirk'ton

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Kirk'ton.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Kirk'ton was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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