Surname kernan - Meaning and Origin

kernan: What does the surname kernan mean?

The last name Kernan is of Irish origin, originating from the Gaelic term "Ceirnín," which means "little victorious one." The name is derived from a Gaelic personal name that is a diminutive of 'cearnach' which means 'victorious'. It belongs to the category of 'reduced Anglicized form of Gaelic name'. Generally, it was often used to denote a diminutive person with a competitive and triumphant spirit. As with many Irish surnames, it can be found in different forms, depending on the region and the preference of individual families, such as Kiernan or McKiernan. Its distribution was primarily in County Armagh with strong ties to County Leitrim and other Midland counties in Ireland. Throughout history, various family members have held this surname, contributing to its rich heritage.

kernan: Where does the name kernan come from?

The surname Kernan is of Irish origin, specifically from Gaelic Mac Thiarnáin, which translates to "son of the lord." Other variations include MacThiernan, MacThernan, and MacKiernan. This surname is particularly associated with the areas of County Leitrim and County Cavan in Ireland, where the clan was historically known as hereditary physicians.

In the 17th century, due to economic struggles and religious persecution, many Irish families emigrated to other countries, spreading Irish surnames globally. Today, the surname Kernan is most common in the United States, specifically in Pennsylvania, followed by California and New York, according to the U.S census. Despite the globalization of the surname, the Kernan name still holds strong ties to Ireland. It remains relatively prevalent in its historic counties, Leitrim and Cavan, as well as in other parts of the country. As of 2014, Kernan was ranked as the 257th most common surname in Ireland.

Variations of the surname kernan

The surname Kernan has several variants and similar spellings, including Keernan, Kernon, Kearnan, and Kernin. Some sources also indicate a possible link to the surnames Kiernan and Kieran, which share a similar phonetic sound and Irish origin, though these are not guaranteed to be from the exact same lineage.

The root of these surnames are typically traced back to Ireland, originating from the Gaelic "Ciarán" or "Ceirín" which means "little dark one". This was often used as a nickname for someone with dark hair or complexion.

However, the many variants and spellings could have originated from different Gaelic names such as O'Ciarain, MacTighernain, or O'Ceirin, each with slightly different meanings but generally referred to someone who was regarded as a 'lord' or 'chief'. Due to the varied pronunciation, dialects and Anglicization in different regions and periods, these Gaelic names could have formed the basis for several versions of the surname including Kernan and its variants.

Therefore, other surnames possibly of the same origin could include Ciaran, O'Kernan, MacKiernan or even Tierney, as this is the Anglicisation of the Gaelic Ó Tiarnaigh, meaning 'lord' or 'chief'. These surnames, while potentially related, should be researched individually for a more accurate lineage.

Famous people with the name kernan

• Vince Kernan: a retired US Navy four-star admiral who served as the Commander of either the United States Second Fleet or NATO's Striking Fleet Atlantic from July 1994 to March 1996.
• Chris Kernan: a former professional ice hockey player who won the Stanley Cup with the New Jersey Devils in 2002.
• Karen Kernan: a three-time Emmy nominee and Academy Award-winning actress, most notably for her role in Raiders of the Lost Ark.
• Tomas Kernan: an American journalist, editor, and magazine writer who won the 2002 Pulitzer Prize for Criticism.
• David Kernan: an English actor, singer, and director, best known for his role as the Phantom in the original cast recording of Andrew Lloyd Webber's The Phantom of the Opera.
• Owen Kernan: a sportscaster for ABC who also occasionally filled in for Monday Night Football.
• Patrick Kernan: a former National Football League linebacker who played for the Kansas City Chiefs for five seasons, followed by stints with the Cleveland Browns and Detroit Lions.
• Dan Kernan: a former NASCAR driver who participated in three races in the 1990s.
• Stephen Kernan: an American basketball coach who was the head coach of the Duke Blue Devils men’s basketball team from 2005 to 2012.
• Joseph Kernan: a Democratic politician and former US Navy captain who was the 48th Lieutenant Governor of Indiana and the 44th Governor of Indiana.

Other surnames

KernaghanKernahan