Surname MacKeirnan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacKeirnan: What does the surname MacKeirnan mean?
The surname MacKeirnan originates from the Gaelic language. Variations include MacKiernan, MacKernan, Mackernan and McKeirnan. The surname belongs to the category of patronymic surnames, which means it is derived from the father's name. The root of the name is the Gaelic "Mac Ciardhain", meaning "son of CIARDAN".
Ciardan is a Gaelic name derived from the word "ciar" meaning dark. The MacKeirnan surname therefore translates to "son of the dark one" or "son of the black one". Historically, the name was popular mainly in the province of Ulster, which is now known as Northern Ireland and was home to many of the Gaelic clans.
Since the MacKeirnan surname is derived from a Gaelic name, it is likely that families with this surname have been living in the region for centuries. Given the history of the surname, it is also likely that family members have served in the military or worked for Irish royalty at some point in their history. Today, MacKeirnan families can be found in many parts of the world in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
MacKeirnan is an ancient and noble surname, with a proud history and a deep connection to the Gaelic language and the Irish people. It is a surname that is steeped in proud tradition and history, and points to ancient family ties between the MacKeirnan families of the past and present.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKeirnan: Where does the name MacKeirnan come from?
The last name MacKeirnan is most commonly seen in Scotland and Ireland, where it has a long history and association with several clans throughout the centuries. In more recent times, it has spread all over the world as Irish and Scottish families have moved to other places.
In the United States, MacKeirnan is a relatively uncommon name. According to the U.S. Census data, only 5,418 people had that surname as of 2015. This may be attributed, in part, to the large numbers of people who emigrated from those countries in the past centuries for religious or economic opportunities.
In Canada and Australia, however, the name MacKeirnan is more common. Approximately 11,300 Canadians and 8,000 Australians have the MacKeirnan surname, making it the 27th and 37th most popular surname in the respective countries. Those with a MacKeirnan heritage can trace their roots back to various cultural backgrounds: Scottish, Irish, and sometimes, English.
Those with the MacKeirnan name that still reside in Ireland and Scotland are also very proud of their heritage. There are communities throughout the two countries where the surname is still common today, often located in areas where the MacKeirnan clan had a presence for many generations.
No matter where someone with the MacKeirnan last name calls home today, their roots will always trace back to the proud and storied background that makes their name unique.
Variations of the surname MacKeirnan
The variant spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacKeirnan are MacKernan, MacKiernan, McKernon, and Kernan.
MacKeirnan, or MacKernan is derived from the Scottish Gaelic form of Mac Cearnain, meaning "son of Cearnain" or "belonging to Cernain". This is a patronymic surname, which is a surname derived from the first name of the father, with the prefix Mac or Mc.
MacKiernan is an alternate spelling of the surname, and is derived from the same Gaelic source. The added letter " i" in this spelling could be a result of either phonetic spelling influenced by spelling difficulties, or, perhaps more likely, a patronymic modification with the addition of the letter "i" to originally denote a succinct "son of" designation.
McKernon is a variant of the name, with the use of the letter "K" standing in for the letter "C". This form is also common in the United States, especially in states such as Maryland and Pennsylvania, due to the overwhelming popularity of the Irish settlers who migrated across the Atlantic.
Kernan is an Anglicized version of the original Irish surname, with the Gaelic source being "O Cearnaigh". This can also be found as an alternate spelling of the name in various parts of America.
In summary, MacKeirnan and its variants are a family of names that trace back to the old Irish Gaelic origins. There are several different spellings of the surname found throughout the United States and other parts of the world, all arising from the same source.
Famous people with the name MacKeirnan
- Steve MacKeirnan: Former Australian cricket player.
- Alexander MacKeirnan: Australian politician and former member of the New South Wales Legislative Assembly.
- Molly MacKeirnan: American civil rights lawyer and founder of the nonprofit PhoenixLaw, Inc.
- Chad MacKeirnan: Canadian rapper and singer/songwriter.
- John MacKeirnan: American Real Estate magnate and philanthropist.
- John MacKeirnan: Former Secretary of State and ambassador to Macedonia from 1984 to 1989.
- Fergus MacKeirnan: Irish journalist and broadcaster who served as inaugural News Editor of RTÉ's Nine News.
- Walter MacKeirnan: Former Irish rugby player who represented Leinster and Ireland internationally.
- Patrick MacKeirnan: American soldier who earned the Distinguished Service Cross during World War I.
- Tim MacKeirnan: British actor and singer who appeared on the BBC's hit series Our Girl.