I was not able to find a site to give me a lot of historical information on the Kirby surname origin. I will post what I have found and suggest that anyone with more information forward it to me.

Spelling variations include: Kirkby, Kirby, Kerribly, Kerwick, O'Kerwick and many more.

First found in Lancashire 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: Thomas Kirby settled in the Barbados in 1663, along with Rebecca and Henry; James Kirby settled in Virginia in 1651 along with Humphrey and Alice his wife.