Family History and Genealogy Resources by Surname
Stirling Surname Origin
(Locality). From the city of Stirling, the Gaelic name of which is Strila, by some supposed to signify 'the place of strife,' from Stri-thralla. A Mr. Stirling, who was minister of the barony church of Glasgow, during the war maintained against the insatiable ambition of Louis XIV., in that part of his prayer which related to public affairs, used to beseech the Lord that he would take the haughty tyrant of France, and shake him over the mouth of hell, 'but good Lord,' added the worthy man, 'dinna let him fa' in.' This curious prayer having been mentioned to Louis, he laughed heartily at this new and ingenious method of punishing ambition, and frequently afterward gave as a toast, 'The good Scotch parson.'
Source: An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names With an Essay on their Derivation and Import; Arthur, William, M.A.; New York, NY: Sheldon, Blake, Bleeker & CO., 1857.
Stirling Surname Meaning and Family Facts
Stirling Last Name Meaning
Search the FREE Ancestry.com Name Dictionary.
There is more to Stirling family history than the origin of your surname:
Start your Genealogy to find your personal Stirling family ancestry. It's easy to get started. Just begin your family tree with what you already know. Learn More.
A Stirling Family History Thought:
'The past isn't dead. It isn't even past.' --William Faulkner