Irwin

Irwin is a surname of English and Scottish origin which is derived from the Old English personal name 'Eoforwine'. The name is composed of two elements - 'eofor', meaning 'boar', and 'wine', meaning 'friend'. This suggests that the original meaning of the name was 'boar friend'.

The surname Irwin has been found throughout the British Isles, with significant concentrations in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The name has various spellings, including Ervine, Irvine, and Irvin.

The Irwin family has a long and storied history, with notable figures such as Robert Irwin, a prominent British art critic, and Jim Irwin, a British astronaut who was part of the Apollo 15 mission to the moon in 1971.

Today, the Irwin surname continues to be borne by individuals across the United Kingdom and around the world, reflecting the enduring legacy of this ancient name.

There are approximately 8,234 people named Irwin in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,151st most common surname in Britain. Around 126 in a million people in Britain are named Irwin.

Surname type: From given name or forename

Origin: English

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: England

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: English

Typical given names associated with the surname

Male

  • David
  • James
  • John
  • Mark
  • Michael
  • Paul
  • Richard
  • Robert
  • Thomas
  • William

Female

  • Anne
  • Elizabeth
  • Helen
  • Jennifer
  • Margaret
  • Mary
  • Michelle
  • Patricia
  • Rebecca
  • Sarah
  • Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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