Irvine or Irving, an ancient parish in Annandale, SE Dumfriesshire, now forming the middle part of Kirkpatrick-Fleming parish. The Irvings, who either took name from it or gave it name, held large possessions here, and had their chief seat at Bonshaw Tower on Kirtle Water. They multiplied into an important clan; signalised themselves on many occasions by patriotism and valour; numbered among their daughters ` Fair Helen of Kirkconnel Lee; ' and sent off a distinguished and flourishing branch to Nithsdale.—Ord. Sur., sh. 10, 1864.

(F.H. Groome, Ordnance Gazetteer of Scotland (1882-4); © 2004 Gazetteer for Scotland)