Surname Keary - Meaning and Origin
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Keary: What does the surname Keary mean?
Keary is an English surname that dates back to around the 13th century. Though the precise origin of the name is unknown, it is believed to be derived from the Gaelic word 'ciar', meaning 'dark'. It is also a variant of Carey, which itself is derived from an old Irish clan name.
This name most likely originated in the counties of Leinster and Munster in Ireland, though it has since spread to other countries including England, Wales, Scotland, and America. It is also common in countries with populations of Irish descent.
Throughout the years, people with this surname may have held a variety of occupations, most likely farmers, fishermen, or soldiers.
The Keary name was also often used to denote people who had living or working quarters near a field or marshland. In British folkore, the name Keary is synonymous with strength and stamina. Someone with this name was likely a hard worker with a strong sense of loyalty and compassion.
For those with the Keary surname, there is now an ancestral association by the same name. This group serves as a way for descendants of the original Keary family to connect with each other and share their family stories.
Today, the Keary name remains a symbol of strength and loyalty in many countries, honoring the strong influence of Irish culture on the world.
Order DNA origin analysisKeary: Where does the name Keary come from?
The surname Keary is originally an Old English surname which is believed to have come from the pre 10th century word 'Ceorl', meaning a freeman of the Birch class of the ancient Anglo-Saxon society. It is believed to have originally been a locational surname which derived from the place names in Warwickshire, namely Cary and Cearly (both meaning "woodland clearing where crows are seen").
The last name Keary is not especially common today, but according to the 2019 UK census, it is most prevalent in Antrim, Northern Ireland, with a population of 20. It can also be found in smaller numbers in England, Scotland, Canada and the United States. Other countries where small numbers of Kearys can be found include Ireland, Australia, New Zealand and South Africa.
The name is especially popular in the Republic of Ireland, possibly due to the 19th century emigration of Irish families to both the USA and the UK. While the surname is still around today, it is not especially prevalent and is certainly far less common than it was in centuries past.
Variations of the surname Keary
The surname Keary is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Ó Cadhraigh, and is found most frequently in Ireland. In some cases, it is found as an adopted spelling of other names, such as Ó Cearty, Ó Caointigh, Quinn and Quinn O'Carra.
Variant spellings and other surnames from the same root include O'Keary, Kearie, O'Kearie, McCary, O'Carry, O'Corry, Carrey, Carry, Carri, Carrye, Corry, McCorry and McCarry. The name is sometimes found with a prefix, such as Fitz, Mac, or FitzGerald, adding to the complexity of the variations.
In some cases, the name has also been mistakenly recorded as Keary or Carey with the full Irish-Gaelic forms O'Cherry, O'Carrig, and O'Corry. These forms of the name have been used interchangeably over the years, creating a muddled history of alternations and variants.
The “O” prefix found in many of the original Gaelic names, denotes “grandsons of”, and many of these surnames refer to the ancient Irish warrior Eochaidh Ua Cearraigh, a disciple of St. Patrick.
The various forms of the name are found throughout the world, although most of the modern Keary bearers reside in Ireland. It is also common in Northern Ireland and Scotland, while other variations such as McCarry and O'Carry are popular in the United States.
Famous people with the name Keary
- Pat Keary: A notable football manager, Pat Keary managed several teams, most notably the Dallas Cowboys in the 1980s.
- Nick Keary: American football quarterback Nick Keary played in the NFL during the late 1970s and early 80s.
- Jack Keary: English professional golfer Jack Keary is best known for his 1983 victory at the Benson & Hedges International Open.
- Derek Keary: Irish Gaelic footballer Derek Keary won an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medal in 1980.
- Donal Keary: Irish former cricketer Donal Keary played for teams such as the Shanagolden Cricket Club and Ireland.
- Terry Keary: Australian former rugby league footballer, Terry Keary was known for his long stint with the Eastern Suburbs Roosters.
- Alice Joye Keary: British Novelist Alice Joye Keary was well known for her romantic fiction.
- Alec Keary: Irish broadcaster and journalist Alec Keary is a familiar voice on Irish radio and television.
- Lorna Keary: Canadian radio broadcaster and sound editor Lorna Keary is a well known voice in Canada.
- Peadar Keary: Irish dramatist Peadar Keary was an active member of the Abbey Theatre in the early 20th century.