Surname Karnes - Meaning and Origin
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Karnes: What does the surname Karnes mean?
The last name Karnes is of English origin and is an occupational surname derived from the Old English word ‘cearn’, meaning a miller or corn grinder. It was first found in various parishes named Karnes found across England, such as in Buckinghamshire, Wiltshire and Gloucestershire.
As an occupational surname, Karnes is also thought to refer to someone who lived near a mill, or engaged in a business dealing with corn and grain. It could also refer to someone who worked in an iron foundry, whose trade was known as ‘karnes’.
The surname Karnes is quite distinctive, with several spelling variations including Karnes, Carnes, Kernes, Kerne, and Corns.
Throughout the centuries, the Karnes surname has spread to many countries as families moved in search of work or a better life. For example, records of the name can be found in France, Canada, the United States, Australia, New Zealand, Ireland and Scotland.
The Karnes surname has also been a part of American military history since the Revolutionary War. Several members of the Karnes family were among the first settlers in the America Colonies, with some holding influential positions in government or the church.
Today, the Karnes surname can be found in many countries, including the United States, Great Britain, and Canada. It is also a popular name in Germany, Scandinavia, and the Netherlands. While many individuals may possess the same surname, every family’s story is unique, and each person’s journey a legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisKarnes: Where does the name Karnes come from?
The surname Karnes is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in states located in the South and Southeast regions. Karnes is the 392nd most popular surname in the U.S. and is also found in Canada and England.
The earliest known record of the Karnes surname in the United States was found in the records of the early English settlers in Virginia during the 1600s. The records show settlers from the Karnes family settling in the county of Spotsylvania in 1695 as well as other locations in the new colonies.
The surname Karnes can be traced back to various locations in England, including, Oxfordshire, Worcestershire, Devonshire, Berkshire, and Nottinghamshire. English records of Karnes surname holders date back to the 1200s and some were even registered in the famous Domesday Book in 1086.
By the late 1800s, members of the Karnes family had spread to many of the other states in the U.S. including Texas, Arkansas, Georgia, Missouri, and Alabama. Along the way, many Americanized variations of the Karnes surname were established. Yarnes, Korns, Kurns, Kerns, Carnes, and Kearnes are some of the more common variations.
Today, the Karnes surname can be found in almost every state in the U.S. and it is still quite a common surname in the South and Southeast regions.
Variations of the surname Karnes
The surname Karnes has a number of different variants, spellings, and surnames all with the same origin, many of which are derived from the original Anglo-Saxon spelling. The most common variations are Kerns, Kernschmidt, Kernse, Kernsey, Kernsley, Kernshe, Kearns, Kearnsey, Kearnsley, Kearnshy, Cowens and Kernesey.
Karnes is derived from the Anglo-Saxon word “cearn” which meant "a rock or outcrop" and could have been used to designate a person who lived near a rocky outcrop. There is a village in Cumbria, England called Kensbarrow which is thought to be derived from the same place name and could have given rise to the surname Karnes.
The hallmark of this surname is its variations in spelling. This was because, in the early days prior to the introduction of literacy and efficient record keeping, local dialect and regional speech meant that words could be pronounced differently, and consequently spelled differently. This meant that areas had their own versions of how to spell the same name. The best example is the variations of Kearns, taken from the Irish O'Curneen, meaning “descendant of Curneen”.
The variety of spellings and surnames all derived from the same root origin gives us an insight into how the English language has changed and developed over the centuries. It is a reminder that while names may change over time, our sense of family and belonging may remain the same.
Famous people with the name Karnes
- Jimmy Karnes: an American singer-songwriter, session musician, and record producer.
- Johnny Karnes: a professional baseball pitcher who played for the Philadelphia Athletics in 1934.
- Laura Karnes: an American actress who guest-starred in various televisions series and films, including Amazing Stories.
- Rob Karnes: an American musician, filmmaker, and environmental activist.
- Ty Karnes: an American professional basketball player.
- Jeff Karnes: a professional football player who plays for the Philadelphia Eagles.
- William Karnes: a British lawyer and judge, who served as Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of New South Wales from 1992-1995.
- Scott Karnes: an independent film producer and director whose work has been seen in myriad festivals, including Sundance.
- Jim Karnes: an American professional golfer who won the U.S. Open in 1959.
- Laura Karnes Hartman: a professor at San Francisco State University and an author of several books, such as Reasonable Care: Ethics, Aging, and Long-Term Care.