Map of England showing where the Kirkland arms are recorded
The Kirkland arms were recorded in Cumberland, c. 1620.
Cumberland was rough border country in the north-west, facing Scotland across a disputed line. Its families held land in return for keeping it defended, and men who fought carried shields of their own.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Kirkland arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cumberland.
Origin & History of the Kirkland Family in England
The surname Kirkland is a locative name, meaning it was originally taken from a specific place rather than a trade or a personal characteristic. The name is derived from the Old Norse word *kirkja*, meaning church, and the Old English word *land*, which together describe a person who lived on land owned by a church or near a church. By the early 17th century, the family was well-established in the northern English county of Cumberland. This region was historically significant because it sat along the border between England and Scotland, a rugged area that shaped the lives of families living there. Being situated in Cumberland by 1620 suggests that the family was part of the local farming or landholding community that defined the northern landscape during that era. Over time, as families moved for work or marriage, the name spread from these northern roots into other parts of England and eventually across the world.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Colours
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Ar. three bars gemels sa. (another, the tinctures reversed)”
Scotlandc. 1748
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Map of Scotland showing where the Kirkland arms are recorded
The Kirkland arms were recorded in Scotland, c. 1748.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Edinburgh.
Edinburgh was the seat of Scotland's government, its courts and its heralds. Families with business there settled nearby, and being close to where arms were recorded is exactly why so many of them appear.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Scotland in this period.
George II of Great Britain
Sovereign of the period
George II of Great Britain
1727–1760
Reigning in England when the Kirkland arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Scotland
Scottish heraldry is unique because it treats a coat of arms as a piece of personal property protected by law. Only one person can own a specific design at any given time. When a family grows, the head keeps the original shield while other relatives must apply for their own distinct version with slight changes to prove their specific identity.
Granting authority
The Court of the Lord Lyon acts as the official body that regulates and controls all heraldic matters throughout Scotland.
How they got arms
Individuals obtain a legal right to their arms through a formal petition process that confirms their identity and family connection.
Where arms were recorded
All valid coats of arms are officially entered into the Public Register of All Arms and Bearings starting from 1672.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Scotland.
Origin & History of the Kirkland Family in Scotland
The name Kirkland is a locational surname that originated in Scotland, derived from the Old Norse word *kirkja* and the Old English *land*. Historically, the name identified families who lived on or near church-owned property, often serving as tenants or stewards of land belonging to the parish. By the mid-eighteenth century, the Kirkland family had established a notable presence in Edinburgh, where they integrated into the city’s growing urban society. During this period, Edinburgh was a center of the Scottish Enlightenment, and families like the Kirklands were part of a shifting social landscape that moved away from rural feudal ties toward professional and civic life. Their presence in the capital by 1748 reflects a broader trend of Scottish families migrating toward centers of trade, law, and education during a time of significant economic development in the Lowlands.
Kirkland Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Kirk and Land
Old Norse word for church and Old English word for territory.
This name
KirklandRefers to a person who lived near or on land belonging to a church.
also spelled
Kirkeland
Kyrkland
Kyrkeland
Related arms
Kirkelandvariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
bordureA difference between branches of one family
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
bordureA difference between branches of one family
mulletThe third son, and a divine quality from above
