Prominent Buildings with the Kirkley name.

Hi
Does anyone know why there are buildings, schools and lands named Kirkley? There was a fishing village called the Port of Kirkley in the 1400's. Yet I cannot find out who these landmarks were named after and why? There is a high school in the UK called Kirkley High School. Why? I am a descendant of the Kirkleys. Jeaniene Kirkley from Illinois. my ancestors migrated from Virginia and the Carolinas to Indiana. I cannot connect the Kirkley's from the USA to anywhere overseas. Any help would be appreciated. Even just a nudge into a direction would help. Thank s much