Surname Keirnan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Keirnan: What does the surname Keirnan mean?
The last name Keirnan is a popular Irish surname. It originated from the Old Gaelic name "O'Ciardhubhain" and translates to "descendant of Ciaran" or "black headed one." Ciaran is believed to have been the name of a 5th century saint who was particularly active in the Irish monastic movement. While the etymology of the Keirnan name is relatively clear cut, its variants - Kearnan, Kernan, Keirnon, and Kiernan - can be found in many other countries and cultures.
Most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland, the Keirnan surname is quickly spreading across the world. In North America, Keirnan can be found prominently throughout the United States and Canada with the largest population residing in the United States.
The Keirnan family pride themselves on their heritage, often embracing traditional Gaelic customs and practices to maintain their strong bond to Ireland. They have also been known to honor their ancestors in a number of ways, from throwing annual family gatherings to honoring their fallen through military service.
The Keirnan name has been passed down through the generations and remains one of the most popular surnames in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Regardless of where they are from, the Keirnan family share a common bond of respect and admiration for their shared history and culture.
Order DNA origin analysisKeirnan: Where does the name Keirnan come from?
Keirnan is a surname derived from the Irish form of the personal name Kieran, which is a cognate of the English name Ciaran. This name was derived from the Irish word for “black”. Today, the last name Keirnan can be found all over the world, from the United States to Ireland and beyond.
In the United States, it is most commonly found in states such as New York, California, Florida, and Texas. It is also becoming increasingly common in other states such as Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, Illinois, and New Jersey. According to the US Census Bureau, the frequency of the last name Keirnan decreased by 0.45% between 2000 and 2020.
In Ireland, the last name Keirnan is widespread and quite common. In the 2011 census, Keirnan was the country’s ninth most popular surname. It is believed to be most common in the counties of Cork, Galway, and Donegal.
Aside from the United States and Ireland, the last name Keirnan is also found in other countries such as Canada, Germany, England, Australia, and New Zealand. Thus, while Keirnan is not the most common surname in any specific country, its prevalence in multiple nations across the world indicates its widespread circulation.
Variations of the surname Keirnan
Keirnan is a surname of Irish and Scottish origin. The classic spelling in both countries is O'Cearnaigh, although present day Anglicization of Irish names might result in it usually being spelled Kiernan or Kearnan. The letter “O'” at the beginning sometimes gets dropped due to phonetic changes during Anglicization.
Since Old Irish O'Cearnaigh devolved to variant forms of Keirnan, the surname's spelling variation can also include Kiernan, Kearnan, Kernan, Cearnach. Other spellings such as Kerin, Kiersn, Kerinan, Kearnan, and Kerinane are also seen in older records.
Surnames derived from Keirnan include O’Cearnaigh, Keirnes, Kearney, Keirnane, Kearnane, Kernane, Kindness, Curneen, as well as many others.
The Keirnan coat of arms is composed of a red shield with three silver eagles spread across the chest, displayed with a crest of a demi-eagle spread or with a hand coming from clouds holding a sword. The family motto is "Ubi Fides Ibimus", which means "Where Is Faith We Go".
Keirnan and its various variant spellings and surnames are of Irish and Scottish origin, and its use in the United Kingdom has grown in recent years. There is a notable presence of the families in various parts of England, Scotland, and Ireland.
Most of the variants of the name Keirnan are now relabeled as a surname. The original settlers of the family used the early spelling of the name, and several found their way across the Irish sea and the Atlantic Ocean.
Today, the Keirnan name can still be found in various parts of the world, but mainly in the United Kingdom, Ireland, Scotland, and the United States.
Famous people with the name Keirnan
- Michael Keirnan: Emmy-nominared actor and producer.
- Ed Keirnan: Former professional basketball player.
- Pete Keirnan: Emmy-winning television writer and producer.
- Dave Keirnan: Former Major League Baseball player.
- Steve Keirnan: Former professional baseball player and coach.
- Patrick Keirnan: Veteran actor in film, television, and Broadway.
- Dylan Keirnan: Actor and singer best known for his role in the TV series “The River Why.”
- Rian Keirnan: Professional soccer player.
- Conor Keirnan: Actor best known for his role in the TV series “The Americans.”
- Dennis Keirnan: Retired professional football player.
- Jim Keirnan: Golf course architect.
- Robert Keirnan: Former Jesse W. Reno Award winner for best instructor in the Naval Academy.
- Pat Keirnan: News anchor and television host.
- Jamie Keirnan: Award-winning director and cinematographer.
- Sharon Keirnan: Renowned playwright.
- Anita Keirnan: Founder of New York-based photography studio.
- Brendan Keirnan: Actor and producer in British and American film, television, and theatre.
- Sean Keirnan: Olympic-level gymnast.
- Seamus Keirnan: Professional racecar driver.
- Paul Keirnan: Chef and restaurateur.