Coats of Arms, etc. There are several good reference books on Irish names. The "Irish Families, their names, arms and origins" states that the Kirwans were one of the original 14 (or 13) tribes of Ireland. These names go back a long, long ways. Others are: Athy, Blake, Lynch, Martin, Morris, Skerrett, Bodkin, Browne, Deane, Darcy, Fant, French and Joyce. "Irish Family Names, Arms, Origins and Locations" says that the Kirwans were of native Irish stock, being descendents of O' Ciardubhain sept. The ancestral home was probably Galway, but today the majority live near Dublin. Kerwin is an anglicized spelling of Kirwan and is used in the Dublin area -- usually the Kerwins were professional people, ie: lawyers, chemists, physicians, teachers, etc. Dr. Richard Kerwin was a well-known physician from Dublin was aboard a British vessel captured by The Pilgrim in the English Channel in 1781, during the Revolutionary War. (from, Irish Settlers in America) -- he decided to come here later. The Kirwans of Galway were landed gentry, the Kerwins of Dublin were professionals. Ofcourse, some in both places were poor and uneducated without a doubt -- but it seems clear to me that they were REAL Irish, they were smart and they got tooken by the British unless they converted to the "right" religion. Same old, same old. Incidentally, the Kirwans are in a book called "Irish Pedigrees" by John O'Hart There are two Kirwans of Galway families listed. This goes back to the 17th century, but the Kirwans were in Ireland centuries before then. Some not so scientific notes: Being of Kirwan descent means being Celtic, not Germanic or Norman, etc. The Celts were special people and one trait (so I hear) is dark hair and blue, blue eyes. This interests me because I have five grandchildren with the bluest of blue eyes, though brown and green eyes run through the parent's generation -- it is as if the blue blue eyes of Celts insist on returning, given the slightest chance to do so. Oh yes, all the grandchildren, save one have dark, dark hair as well. Carole S.