This interesting surname is of Anglo-Saxon, Scottish and Irish origin from the Middle English (1200 - 1500) given name "Irwyn, Erwyn, Erwyn, Everwyn", from the Old English pre 7th Century "Eoforwine", composed of the elements "eofor", wild boar, and "wine", friend. The second source is Scottish, and is locational from either Irvine in Strathclyde, or from Irving in Dumfriesshire. The placenames are derived from a Celtic river name, probably composed of elements cognate with the Welsh "ir, yr", green, fresh and "afon", water. The third source is Irish, and is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic "O' hEireamhoin", meaning descendant of Eireamhon", a personal name of uncertain origin. The modern surname can be found as Irvine, Irvin, Ervin(e), Urvine, Irving, Erving, Irwin(e) and Irwing. Among the recordings in Scotland are the christening of Thomas, son of Alexander Irvine, adn Barbara Andersone, on November 4th 1687 at St. Nicholas, Aberdeen. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Robert de Hirewyn, (witness), which was dated 1226, in Dumfriesshire, Scotland, during the reign of King Alexander 11 of Scotland, 1214 - 1249. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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