NameCensus.

UK surname

Kirkaldy

A locational surname derived from Kirkcaldy, a town in Fife, Scotland.

In the 1881 census there were 171 people recorded with the Kirkaldy surname, ranking it #14,212 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 189, ranked #20,334, down from #14,212 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Newcastle St Andrew, Cupar and Markinch. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Elie Colinsburgh and Largoward, Auchterarder and Carlisle.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kirkaldy is 247 in 1901. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 10.5%.

1881 census count

171

Ranked #14,212

Modern count

189

2016, ranked #20,334

Peak year

1901

247 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kirkaldy had 171 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #14,212 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 189 in 2016, ranked #20,334.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 247 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kirkaldy surname distribution map

The map shows where the Kirkaldy surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Kirkaldy surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kirkaldy over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 167 #11,936
1861 historical 157 #14,732
1881 historical 171 #14,212
1891 historical 213 #14,269
1901 historical 247 #13,238
1911 historical 124 #20,023
1997 modern 197 #17,792
1998 modern 222 #16,969
1999 modern 222 #17,080
2000 modern 228 #16,743
2001 modern 219 #16,967
2002 modern 214 #17,545
2003 modern 201 #18,089
2004 modern 195 #18,500
2005 modern 190 #18,753
2006 modern 193 #18,675
2007 modern 188 #19,204
2008 modern 203 #18,470
2009 modern 190 #19,656
2010 modern 191 #20,015
2011 modern 185 #20,288
2012 modern 177 #20,836
2013 modern 189 #20,273
2014 modern 184 #20,809
2015 modern 186 #20,576
2016 modern 189 #20,334

Geography

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Where Kirkaldys are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Newcastle St Andrew, Cupar, Markinch, Duns and Arbroath and St. Vigeans. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Elie Colinsburgh and Largoward, Auchterarder, Carlisle, Methil Methilhill and St Andrews South West. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Newcastle St Andrew Northumberland
2 Cupar Fife
3 Markinch Fife
4 Duns Berwick
5 Arbroath and St. Vigeans Forfar

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Elie Colinsburgh and Largoward Fife
2 Auchterarder Perth and Kinross
3 Carlisle 005 Carlisle
4 Methil Methilhill Fife
5 St Andrews South West Fife

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kirkaldy

These lists show first names that appear often with the Kirkaldy surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kirkaldy

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kirkaldy, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Kirkaldy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Kirkaldy household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

The Greater London Mix

Group

Skilled Trades and Construction Workers

Within London, Kirkaldy is most associated with areas classed as Skilled Trades and Construction Workers, part of The Greater London Mix. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These scattered, peripheral and often low residential density neighbourhoods house more workers in skilled trades and construction. Few households rent social housing and there are few students. Multiple car ownership is higher than the Supergroup average, perhaps because of poorer public transport connectivity. Incidence of mixed or multiple ethnicity is below the Supergroup average, and the absence of individuals identifying as Pakistani or Other Asian groups is also less pronounced. Flatted accommodation is less dominant than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

A Supergroup embodying London's diversity in many respects, apart from low numbers of residents identifying as of Bangladeshi, Indian, Pakistani or Other (non-Chinese) Asian ethnicity. There is lower than average prevalence of families with dependent children, while there are above average occurrences of never-married individuals and single-person households. The age distribution is skewed towards younger, single residents and couples without children, with many individuals identifying as of mixed or multiple ethnicity. Social rented or private rented housing is slightly more prevalent than average, and many residents live in flats. Individuals typically work in professional and associated roles in public administration, education or health rather than in elementary occupations in agriculture, energy, water, construction or manufacturing. Incidence of students is slightly below average. Individuals declaring no religion are more prevalent than average and non-use of English at home is below average.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kirkaldy is most concentrated in decile 2 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

2
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kirkaldy falls in decile 7 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

7
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kirkaldy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Kirkaldy, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kirkaldy

The surname Kirkaldy has its origins in Scotland, dating back to the medieval period. It is a locational name derived from the town of Kirkcaldy in Fife, which means "church from the caulders" or "church among the hawkers" in old Scots language. The name was first recorded as Kyrkcaledur in 1159.

Kirkcaldy was a significant burgh in medieval Scotland, and the name Kirkaldy appears in various historical records from the 13th century onwards. One notable reference is in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, where several individuals with the surname Kirkaldy are listed as swearing fealty to Edward I of England.

The earliest recorded individual with the surname Kirkaldy was Adam de Kirkaldy, who is mentioned in a charter from around 1250. Another early bearer of the name was Sir Michael de Kirkaldy, who was a Scottish knight and landowner in the 14th century.

During the Scottish Wars of Independence, the Kirkaldys were staunch supporters of Robert the Bruce. Sir James Kirkaldy of Grange was a prominent military leader who fought alongside King Robert I and was rewarded with lands for his loyalty.

In the 16th century, Sir William Kirkaldy of Grange gained notoriety as a supporter of the Protestant Reformation in Scotland. He played a crucial role in the Siege of St. Andrews Castle in 1546-1547 and later became the governor of Edinburgh Castle. However, he was eventually executed for treason in 1573 after opposing the authority of the Scottish regent.

Another notable individual with the surname Kirkaldy was Sir David Kirkaldy of Grange, who was a Scottish military commander and royalist during the English Civil War in the 17th century. He fought for King Charles I and was involved in various battles and sieges before being captured and executed in 1649.

The Kirkaldy name has been associated with various place names and variations in spelling throughout history, such as Kirkcaldy, Kyrcaldy, Kircaldy, and Kirkcaldye. It has also been borne by several other historical figures, including David Kirkaldy of Grange, a 17th-century Scottish judge, and Sir William Kirkaldy of Grange, a 19th-century Scottish politician and landowner.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kirkaldy families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kirkaldy surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Fife leads with 27 Kirkaldys recorded in 1881 and an index of 27.67x.

County Total Index
Fife 27 27.67x
Midlothian 22 9.96x
Durham 17 3.47x
Middlesex 17 1.03x
Angus 15 9.82x
Lanarkshire 13 2.44x
Northumberland 12 4.89x
Yorkshire 11 0.67x
Berwickshire 10 50.10x
Surrey 9 1.12x
Perthshire 7 9.46x
Hampshire 4 1.18x
Lincolnshire 2 0.76x
Renfrewshire 2 1.57x
Wigtownshire 1 4.57x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dundee in Angus leads with 13 Kirkaldys recorded in 1881 and an index of 22.80x.

Place Total Index
Dundee 13 22.80x
Markinch 13 392.75x
Monkwearmouth Shore 11 114.94x
Newcastle On Tyne St 11 86.55x
Dunse 10 529.10x
Leeds 9 9.76x
Poplar London 8 25.72x
South Leith 8 32.19x
Wimbledon 8 88.69x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 7 7.88x
Old Monkland 6 28.36x
Barony 5 3.71x
Largo 5 393.70x
St Madoes 5 2777.78x
Cupar 4 94.34x
Edinburgh St Georges 4 87.34x
Southampton St Mary 4 18.82x
Westminster St James 4 23.60x
Islington London 3 1.88x
Framwellgate 2 68.73x
Harrowby Grantham 2 1052.63x
Kilmany 2 555.56x
Ouston 2 277.78x
Blackford 1 111.11x
Bowling 1 6.18x
Corstorphine 1 81.97x
Craig 1 67.57x
Croydon 1 2.24x
Dunbarney 1 232.56x
Edinburgh Lady Yesters 1 65.36x
Edinburgh St Marys 1 23.31x
Glasgow 1 1.06x
Govan 1 0.76x
Kilrenny 1 55.25x
Manningham 1 4.97x
Middle Greenock 1 28.65x
Mochrum 1 76.34x
Monimail 1 208.33x
North Shields 1 20.45x
Shoreditch London 1 1.40x
St Andrews 1 22.52x
St Vigeans 1 12.14x
Sunderland 1 11.55x
West Greenock 1 4.36x
Westminster St John 1 4.98x
Westoe 1 3.60x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kirkaldy surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Ann 3
Isabella 3
Jane 3
Katherine 3
Margaret 3
Mary 3
Sarah 3
Janet 2
Betsy 1
Dorothy 1
Eliza 1
Elizabeth 1
Eva 1
Hannah 1
Kate 1
Katharine 1
Lillias 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Kirkaldy surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 10
William 7
Alexander 3
James 3
Robert 3
Thomas 3
David 2
Adam 1
Arthur 1
Charles 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
George 1
Harry 1
Patrick 1
Patterson 1

FAQ

Kirkaldy surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kirkaldy surname in 1881?

In 1881, 171 people were recorded with the Kirkaldy surname. That placed it at #14,212 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kirkaldy surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 189 in 2016. That gives Kirkaldy a modern rank of #20,334.

What does the Kirkaldy surname mean?

A locational surname derived from Kirkcaldy, a town in Fife, Scotland.

What does the Kirkaldy map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kirkaldy bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.