Kirkham

Kirkham is a toponym of English origin, used for several places in the United Kingdom and, less commonly, as a surname. The name is typically interpreted as a compound of elements meaning church (kirk or kirke) and homestead or village (ham), describing a settlement associated with a church.

In England, the best known locality bearing the name is Kirkham, a market town in the Fylde district of Lancashire. It lies inland from the coast of the Irish Sea and is situated near Preston and Blackpool. The town is served by a railway station named Kirkham and Wesham, reflecting its connection to the surrounding communities. The Kirkham name also appears in other English parishes and villages, underscoring its widespread use as a place-name element.

As a surname, Kirkham originated from the place name and has spread through English-speaking populations via migration and settlement. Genealogical and historical records show the name dating back to the medieval period in various regions of the British Isles and beyond.

Outside the United Kingdom, the use of Kirkham as a place name or surname generally follows patterns of English emigration and colonization, appearing in communities in North America and other former territories to varying extents.

Overall, Kirkham refers to geographic origins tied to a church site, as well as to people and places that carry the toponym into different regions and eras.