Kirkaldy (surname)

Kirkaldy is a Scottish surname with topographic origins, derived from the place name Kirkcaldy, a town in Fife, Scotland. The name Kirkcaldy is thought to be composed of the Pictish elements caer, meaning fort, and calat, a hard or stony place, potentially referring to a rocky promontory where a fort was located. The final element, dun, meaning fort, is also sometimes suggested.

The surname Kirkaldy likely originated with individuals who hailed from the town of Kirkcaldy and subsequently migrated elsewhere, adopting the place name as their surname to indicate their origin. As a topographic surname, its distribution is largely concentrated in Scotland, particularly in the Fife region.

Variations of the spelling include Kirkcaldie and Kircaldy. The surname can be found in records dating back to the medieval period in Scotland. Individuals with the surname Kirkaldy have emigrated to other parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand.