one interpretation of the placename is that it means 'green river' as in the welsh river named irfon. it has had many variants, such as irwyn (1322), ervin (1259) irewin (1429–30), irrvin (1528), and irwin (1537). another author lists yrewin, c.1140; irvin, c.1230; orewin, c.1295, with a meaning of 'west flowing river.' "eriwine" and "erwinne" are also old english first names. a parish in annandale in dumfriesshire has the name irving. in the 12th century a gilchrist, son of eruini, witnessed a charter in galloway and this is the earliest use of the name so far discovered.