Surname Kerrane - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kerrane: What does the surname Kerrane mean?
Kerrane is an interesting surname that has roots from both Ireland and Scotland. It is believed to be of Gaelic origin and is derived from the Irish and Gaelic surname O'Ciarain, meaning "son of Ciaran". This name can be found in various forms, such as O'Caran, O'Carrane, Carane, Kieran, Carrane, and Kerrane.
In Ireland, the northern county of Donegal is largely populated by those with the Kerrane name. There, the name is associated with the ancient Ui Neill dynasty, which was founded by the great Irish chieftain Niall of the Nine Hostages who, according to legend, hailed from Donegal.
In Scotland, Kerrane is thought to come from the early 15th century Scottish clan Carron or Kerron. The Kerron clan was a powerful Lowland family from the Borders area and was rumored to have been descended from Hugh de Kyrun, a Norman knight who invaded Scotland.
The Kerrane name is unique and can be recognized by its common spelling variations. It is a surname rooted in history and is believed to be a proud indication of strength, resilience, loyalty, and tradition. It is a powerful name that is both meaningful and distinct.
Order DNA origin analysisKerrane: Where does the name Kerrane come from?
The last name Kerrane is most commonly found in Ireland and the United Kingdom. In Ireland, the surname is among the top 500 most popular last names and is particularly common in the county of Galway where it ranks in the top 100. In the United Kingdom, the name is relatively rare and is recorded in relatively small numbers. It appears to be concentrated mainly around the south coast and in parts of Scotland, again in relatively small numbers. In the United States, the surname is uncommon and found mainly in the states of Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and Massachusetts, again in small numbers.
In addition to its Irish core, the name has been adopted in a number of other countries, including New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, Canada, and beyond. In some cases, it appears to refer to Irish settlers who emigrated in the 19thcentury. In others, it is likely a result of immigration more recently.
Given its Irish core, it is likely that many if not most of the people who share the Kerrane surname are of Irish heritage. The lineage is thought to go back to an 11th century chieftain who was a descendant of Conn of the Hundred Battles, an ancient Irish king. It is likely that the clan, if not the surname, spread as members went to fight battles for their chieftains or migrated to new lands in search of a better life.
Variations of the surname Kerrane
The surname Kerrane is an anglicised version of the Irish-Gaelic surname Ó Ciaráin. It is derived from the personal name 'Ciarán', from the Gaelic meaning 'small dark one'. Variants of this surname include Kerane, O'Kerane, Keran, Kerwin, Kerin, Kearon, O'Kearon, Kearnin, Cearain, Cearan, Kearney, O'Kearney, Ó Ciardha, Ó Ciardhubháin, Ó Cearáin, and Ó Cearbhaill.
The spelling of the surname has changed throughout history; over time, the prefix 'O' has been dropped, combined with other gaelic prefixes and spellings in both Ireland and Scotland. In Scotland, Kerane is often found as Karran, Karan, or Caron with the prefix 'Mc'.
Although geographically dispersed, the surname is still much in evidence in counties Cork, Kerry, and Limerick in Ireland, where the name first originated. In Scotland, it is mainly found in Ayrshire, Lanarkshire and Inverness-shire. Outside the British Isles, the surname is prevalent in the US, Canada, and Australia.
Some other spellings of the same origin include Kearin, Kiernan, Karrin, Kairns, Carran, Carin, Carron, O'Kerron, Karrane, Kerran, Karrone, and Carron.
Famous people with the name Kerrane
- Kevin Krierane: American actor best known for his roles on the television shows Law & Order: Special Victims Unit and Chicago Fire.
- Rod Kerrane: An Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s.
- David Kerrane: A Scottish footballer who played for Dundee in the 1930s and 1940s.
- Jane Kerrane: Irish photographer and author of Your Life in Your Hands, a book about photography.
- Mark Kerrane: An Irish actor and comedian who is best known for his comedy show Mock the Week.
- Dennis Kerrane: A member of the Irish Gaelic Fiannaíocht.
- Mary Kerrane: An Irish playwright who wrote The Boys Are Back on the Block.
- Jimmy Kerrane: A former Scottish professional footballer who played for Partick Thistle in the Scottish Football League.
- Kathy Kerrane: An American artist and muralist.
- Charles Kerrane: A British business executive and former Chief Executive Officer of the global defence and security technology firm QinetiQ.