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
Scholar 1,187
Agricultural Labourer 372
Labourer 100
House Servant 88
Dress Maker 68
Servant 48
Carter 40
Shoe Maker 37
General Servant 36
Laundress 33
Groom 31
House Keeper 30
Blacksmith 30
House Maid 29
Tailor 28
Cotton Weaver 25
Domestic Servant 23
Wife Of Above 23
Coal Miner 21
Joiner 21
Farmer 21
Grocer 20
Farmers Son 19
Charwoman 19
Ag Labourer 19

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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