Surname Persistence

Once established in a region, surnames typically remain and may even intensify over time. Historically, mobility was limited, and individuals familiar with their surroundings tended to stay put. With natural population increase, a surname would become firmly established in a local area. Movement or relocation would usually occur over shorter distances. Persistence of surnames can be influenced by various factors. Favorable economic circumstances might encourage expansion, while adverse events such as climate change, crop failure, or famine could lead to decline. The 19th century saw significant changes with industrialization and urbanization, resulting in relocations. However, as demonstrated in the previous section, it's often possible to identify historic homelands for surnames, and by extension, families. In the case of both family complexes, limited mobility is apparent. In the Glasgow region, it seems that both the Kilpatrick and Colhoun surnames have relocated from their traditional homelands. Additionally, it appears that the Kirkpatrick variant may have emerged. Glasgow's "cosmopolitan" character could account for the "prefix confusion" between "Kil" and "Kirk." In Galloway, the traditional homeland seems to have been maintained, with lower frequency settlements evident in the immediate surroundings. There is a high degree of homogeneity among the spelling of surnames. The region's proximity to areas of Norse settlement, such as Cumberland, where "Kirk" was more commonly used in place name spellings, suggests a potential connection. However, it is unlikely that these Kirkpatricks have any significant link to those in the Glasgow region. One notable presence of the Kilpatrick surname in the region is found in Wigtownshire and the parishes of Stonykirk and Portpatrick. The town of Portpatrick served as the main trading port between Scotland and the Ards peninsula.