Kirby Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Kirby Name Meaning: From Old Norse 'kirkja' meaning church & 'byr' meaning settlement - in other words a village with a church

Name for people from many places in northern England called Kirby or Kirkby. Early records refer to an ecclesiastic by the name of John Kirkby. He frequently acted as keeper of the seal during the reign of Henry 111 & was appointed Bishop of Ely in 1286 - a post he held until his death on 26 March 1290.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Kirby Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Kirby family

Profession Census Frequency
Agricultural Labourer 319
Female Servant 241
Farmer 103
Independent 100
Labourer 89
Male Servant 80
Shoe Maker 44
Tailor 24
Ag Labourer 23
Blacksmith 19
Gardener 17
Silk Weaver 16
Weaver 15
Carpenter 14
Pauper 14
Butcher 14
Ag Lab 14
Brick Maker 13
Painter 13
Apprentice 12
Linen Weaver 12
Mariner 12
Laundress 11
Publican 11
Joiner 11

Kirby Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Kirby 100% 75,626
2 Kerby 80% 7,997
3 Kerbey 67% 641
4 Karby 80% 608
5 Curby 60% 299
6 Kirbey 83% 233
7 Kriby 60% 209

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The surname Kirby is the most popular version of all its varients

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