Surname MacKernan - Meaning and Origin

MacKernan: What does the surname MacKernan mean?

The last name MacKernan is a surname that comes from Irish Gaelic origins. It is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic Mac Ghearailin, which means "Son of the Spear". It was popular in Ulster Province, where the name originated.

The name MacKernan likely dates back to the 11th and 12th centuries, when the O’Neill clan was the ruling family of the entire province. The clan was also known as the Maguire kingship. The O’Neill clan had three main branches – the MacKernans, the Maguires, and the O’Connors. These three branches often intermingled and intermarried.

Today, the last name MacKernan is still popular in Ulster Province and in other parts of Ireland. MacKernans have spread throughout the world, with large diasporic communities in the United States, Britain, Australia, and beyond.

The name MacKernan can be a source of great pride for those who bear it. It is a reminder of both one’s ancestry and the strong clan ties that have endured throughout the centuries. It has brought about great individuals who have made strides in many different areas, from medicine to the military, from politics to the world of business.

MacKernan: Where does the name MacKernan come from?

The MacKernan surname is most common today in the Irish counties of Cavan and Monaghan, which are located in the traditional Irish province of Ulster. According to genealogy records, the MacKernan surname first arose in the region of Ulster, with early bearers of the family name living in or near the town of Knockninny in County Fermanagh.

In addition to Ireland, the surname is also associated with parts of northern Scotland, stretching from the coastal town of Inverness to Sutherland in the further. The MacKernan name is strongly associated with the ancient Irish kingdom of Oriel, which was located in modern-day Co. Monaghan. In Scottish clan lore, the MacKernans have long been associated with Clan MacDonald of Clanranald.

Several notable people who have borne the name MacKernan include Irish statesman, writer, and nationalist Charles Gavan Duffy (1816-1903); American minister Thomas McKernan (1818-1895); and 19th-century Irish politician Thomas Joseph MacKernan (1837-1871).

Today, bearers of the surname can be found in other Ireland counties, in the U.S., the U.K., Australia, and other parts of the world where people of Irish descent have migrated to. As of May 2021, the MacKernan surname is ranked number 11,7864 in terms of popularity in the U.S.

Overall, the MacKernan surname is most strongly associated with Ireland, particularly the northern counties of Cavan and Monaghan, but can be found in other parts of the world today, due to its bearer’s migration patterns.

Variations of the surname MacKernan

MacKernan is a variation of Mac Cearnain, an old Irish surname which can trace its roots back to the 10th century. It is an Anglicised form of the Irish Mac Cearnain, the son of Cearnán, which means "little fox".

The variants and different spellings of the surname MacKernan include Mac Kernon, MacCearnain, MacKerran, MacKerranne, Mac Kernen, Mac Cearnon, MacKerranne and Mackarnon.

In Ireland, many of those with the surname MacKernan have a strong association with the northeastern counties of Roscommon, Sligo and Longford. Today, the surname is found in both Ireland and Scotland. In Scotland, the name appears to have been Anglicised to several other forms, including MacKerran, Mackarron and, more recently, Mackernon.

The MacKernons of Kilmacteige parish, near Ballaghaderreen, can trace their origins back to possibly the 11th century, where their ancestors may have settled upon the arrival of the Normans in Ireland.

Surnames of similar origin include MacKerren, MacKernon, MacKerran, MacCearnon and MacKerranne. Ultimately, all of these derive from the old Irish Mac Cearnain, which can be translated as "Son of Little Fox”.

In some parts of Ireland, this surname has been also encountered as Carran. This has probably developed from the Gaelicicisation of Mac Kernon. The surname Kernan is an Anglicised version of the same Irish origin - Mac Cearnain.

All of these surnames have a strong presence in Ireland, particularly in the counties of Roscommon, Longford and Sligo.

Famous people with the name MacKernan

• Jack MacKernan: American actor, best known for appearing in episodes of Tunnel Vision, True Detective, and Suburgatory in the early 2000s.
• Bruce MacKernan: lead guitarist and vocalist for the classic rock band, The Doobie Brothers.
• John MacKernan: English former footballer who played for Watford and Tottenham Hotspur.
• Michael MacKernan: Former Chief of Staff for the Australian Labor Party.
• Lawrence MacKernan: American attorney and former United States Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division.
• Neal MacKernan: Canadian ice hockey player who played in the 1978 World Junior Ice Hockey Championships.
• Scot MacKernan: American film producer, best known for producing the hit HBO series Deadwood.
• Joannah MacKernan: Author and international innovator in the field of international education and curriculum development.
• Arthur MacKernan: Tropy winner on the PGA Tour in the early part of the 20th century.
• John Alexander MacKernan: Australian Army officer whose command of the 2nd Infantry Battalion in World War II saw him awarded the Military Cross.

Other surnames

MacKern