Surname Kern - Meaning and Origin
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O. Kern
read moreKern: What does the surname Kern mean?
Kern is a surname of German origin. It has its roots in the Middle High German word "kern" which means "seed" or "kernel". The surname might have started as a nickname for someone who was a seed merchant or a farmer. On the other hand, in old Celtic tongue, "Kern" means "a churn" or "a small heap", which might suggest an occupation related to dairy product processing or farming. It could also be an occupational name for a soldier, coming from the Gaelic "Ceithern", meaning a band of warriors. Therefore, the Kern surname has multiple possible meanings of professional or personal characteristics in either Celtic or Germanic languages. The variations of the surname include Kerne, Kernen, Kerns, and Kernes. Today, the surname is common in many countries globally, indicating the widespread migration of individuals bearing the name.
Order DNA origin analysisKern: Where does the name Kern come from?
The surname Kern has origins in Germany and possibly derives from the Middle High German "kern" which means "small grain". Thus, it may have started as a nickname for a farmer or a miller. The name may also have Celtic origins, coming from the word “cearn” which means “warrior”.
It is most common in Germany today but is also found among Jewish (Ashkenazic) communities. In addition to Germany, it is widely distributed in the United States, especially among those of German and Irish descent, due to immigration patterns. Other European countries such as Switzerland, Austria, the Netherlands, and Ireland also have populations with this surname. A slight modification to "Kerne" shows presence in France too. It is important to note the variations and spellings of the surname like Kerns, Kernel, Kernen, Kernan, among others across different geographies.
The surname Kern has been quite influential, with notable people like Jerome Kern, the American composer, and Christian Kern, the former Chancellor of Austria, holding the name.
Variations of the surname Kern
The surname Kern is believed to have originated from Germany and it has several variations depending upon the region and country of use. Some common variants and spellings of the Kern surname include Kernen, Kerne, Kerney, Kearns, Kerns, and Kerins. It may also appear as Kirn or Kirns in some places.
The surname could have been derived from the Middle High German word 'kern' which means 'seed grain'. Therefore, it could have been an occupational surname for a grain grower or merchant. In Ireland, the surname is often an anglicized form of the Gaelic "Ó Ciaráin" or "Ó Ceirín," meaning "descendant of Ciarán."
Furthermore, the surname has also been Jewish (Ashkenazic) being adopted ornamentally or as an Americanized form of a similar sounding Jewish surname.
It is also important to note that spellings of surnames often changed over time and were often recorded as they sounded phonetically, leading to many spelling variations. Therefore, there might be many other less common variants or spelling differences of the surname.
Famous people with the name Kern
- Adele Kern, Austrian/American opera singer
- Alfred Kern, German-born French classical composer
- Amanda Kern, American professional rhythmic gymnast
- Augustus Kern, American filmmaker
- Bessie Kern, Australian silent film actor
- Bill Kern, American road cyclist
- Charles Kern, American engineer
- Charley Kern, American Major League Baseball player
- David Kern, American lawyer
- Deb Kern, American barrel racer
- Doug Kern, Canadian artist
- Erasmo Kern, Uruguayan lawyer
- Ginjer Kern, American novelist
- Gustav Kern, German composer
- Henry Kern, American psychologist
- Hugo Kern, Austrian composer
- Jahmaul Kern, American visual artist
- Jim Kern, American Major League Baseball player
- Joe Kern, American chess master
- John Kern, American playwright
- Judy Kern, American long-distance runner
- Karl Kern, Austrian physicist
- Louis Kern, American fashion designer
- Matthew Kern, American composer
- Max Kern, German experimental physicist
- Paul Kern, German Olympic water polo player
- Peggy Kern, American Broadway actress
- Robert Kern, American software engineer
- Robert Kern, American military officer
- Rose Kern, Swiss snowboarder
- Steve Kern, American cinematographer
- Will Kern, American playwright