The origin of the name Kirke is Scottish and the Coat of Arms contains Red with a gold crozier crossed with a gold sword and at the top a green thistle. The Crest is A crozier and a dagger crossed. The family motto is Optimum quod primum.
Spelling variations include: Kirk, Kirkhoe, Kirkaugh, Kirko, Kirkoe and others.
First found in Cumberland where they were seated from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.
Some of the first settlers of this name or some of its variants were: Christopher and Judith Kirk settled in Virginia in 1635; Grafton Kirk settled in Maryland in 1738; John Kirk settled in New England in 1698; James Kirke settled in Virginia in 1656.
