James Kirko - Covenanter shot 1685.

[up2you2]

In researching my family tree I have now traced it back as far as a James Kirk b.1733.
I am now trying to trace his parents, which I think might be around the Durisdeer area of Dumfries.
In looking up the names of either James or John Kirk around this period, I seem to have many hits of a James Kirko, the famous Covenanter.
His parents were John and Agnes Kirko.
A million to one that I am related to him, but there again somebody is.
It would be nice to establish some further facts and details about him.
James Kirko was served heir to his father John in 1647, laird of Sundaywell, Dunscore.
On one occasion he asked John Osbtirn to bring his youngest son to see him, so by inference he had at least two.
On 13th May 1685 he was shot on the sands of Dumfries.
When was he born, did he marry, where any of his children christened or baptised?

[Falkyrn]

Is your man definitely from the Dumfries area - Amongst the Covenanters listed as killed there is also a James Kirk of Largo and John Kirk of Ceres, who both died when the ship where they were held prisoner sank off of the Orkneys.

Kirk as a surname in itself is not all that uncommon (Kirko is rarer but is considered by Black in his "Surnames of Scotland" to be a variant of Kirkhoe an old Dumfries name)

[JustJean]

I did a search on SP in the wills index and there are 3 references of the surname KIRKO:

1 KIRKO ADAME 24/01/1592 IN GLENNESLAND, PARISH OF DUNSCOIR, SHERIFFDOM OF DUMFRIES TESTAMENT DATIVE AND INVENTORY EDINBURGH COMMISSARY COURT CC8/8/23
2 KIRKO GILBERT 03/01/1605 OF SOUNDEWALL, PARISH OF HALYWOOD, SHERIFFDOM OF DUMFRIES TESTAMENT DATIVE AND INVENTORY EDINBURGH COMMISSARY COURT CC8/8/39
3 KIRKO ROBERT 13/07/1744 IN AUCHLANE, PARISH OF KELTON EDICT ONLY KIRKCUDBRIGHT COMMISSARY COURT CC13/6/70

It looks like Gilbert might possibly link to the James KIRKO covenanter due to his location being SOUNDEWALL which I can only guess might be the same as SUNDAYWELL.

There are 10 OPR births/baptisms for the surname KIRKO on Scotlandspeople. All of them in Dumfries or Kircudbright counties. Also checked out the OPR marriages and there are 5, one in Edinburgh 2 in Dumfries and 2 in Kircudbright counties

I also looked at the NAS website and found a handful of references containing the surname KIRKO. One appeared as:

Bond of Relief by John Creichtoun of Crawfurdstoun [Crichton of Crawfordston], as principal, and John Edzar of Inglistoun [?Edgar of Ingliston], John Kirkquho [Kirko] of Sandywall, and Robert Phillope [Philip], sheriff clerk of Drumfreis [Dumfries], as cautioners, to Stephan Lowrie [Laurie], merchant burgess of Drumfreis, against inhibitions raised by James Creichtoun, his son, and James Dowglas, son of James Dowglas of Baitfurd, following on disposition of lands as in GD78/6.

This record dates to the year 1616. The reference to SANDYWALL looks like it might be the same dwelling place as the above records. The spelling version of Kirkquho I thought was interesting. One I would not have come up with on my own!.

Have not found anything to link your KIRK to KIRKO yet but note that the latest record I've found so far for KIRKO dates to 1744.

Best wishes
Jean