Surname Karns - Meaning and Origin
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Karns: What does the surname Karns mean?
The English surname of Karns is of Anglo-Saxon origin. It is derived from an old personal name, most likely a patronymic. It is thought that the name could have either been derived from an Old English personal name of 'Carn' or have been anglicised from the Gaelic 'Mac Cairne'. The Irish name of Cairnes is derived from the Gaelic O'Cairne, 'O' implying 'son of'.
The English surname Karns is recorded primarily in county Durham, but does also appear in East Anglia. It is thought that this area could also have been introduced to the name by Flemish settlers during the medieval period. In Scotland, the specific spelling of Karns is very rare, but variations of the name, including Kairns, Kerns and Kearns, are operating in this part of the United Kingdom.
The name Karns is most likely to have been a hereditary title as it would have been passed down through generations. It also suggests that ancestral Karns families used to engage in hunting. The name Karns was likely first recorded by the church in Durham, during the Middle Ages. The surname Karns is still operating today as a family name.
Order DNA origin analysisKarns: Where does the name Karns come from?
The last name Karns is most commonly found in the United States, Great Britain, Australia, and Canada. It is thought to have origins in the United Kingdom, but the precise origin is unknown. In the United States, Karns is most common in the states of Pennsylvania, Ohio, and Virginia. In Pennsylvania, it is the 234th most common surname.
In Great Britain, Karns is the 14,819th most common surname. It is most commonly found in England, where it ranks 8,109th in population. It is also moderately common in Ireland and Scotland, where it ranks 14,084th and 7,855th, respectively.
In Australia, Karns is the 20,282nd most common surname, and it is relatively common in the states of Victoria and New South Wales, where it is the 9,417th and 13,694th most common surname, respectively. In Canada, Karns is the 39,220th most common surname. It is relatively common in the provinces of British Columbia and Alberta, where it is the 14,818th and 17,983rd most common surname, respectively.
Overall, the last name Karns is most common in the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia, and Canada. It is generally thought to have British origins, but its exact origin is unknown.
Variations of the surname Karns
Karns is a surname of English, Scottish and German origin. It is derived from 'Kerns', an old word meaning 'granary attendant', or one who worked at the granary or barn. Variants of the surname Karns include Kerns (English), Kearns (Irish), Kernese (German), Karnes (English), and Karnese (German).
Karns is also a variation of the surname Kearns, which is derived from the Irish name 'Ó Cearnaigh'. The Irish form is the most common variant in Ireland, while variants like Kearns and Carns (Anglicized from 'Ó Cearnaigh') are more common elsewhere.
Karns is also an anglicized form of the German surname Kern, which is originally derived from the word 'kernel', meaning 'grain'. Variation of the German surname Kern includes Kerns (English), Kernese (German), Karnes (English), and Karnese (German).
In Scotland, the surname Kerns is derived from a location, the ancient town of Kearns near Dundee. Variants of the Scottish surname include Kearns (Irish), Karnes (English), and Karnese (German).
The spelling of Karns can also be found in some records as Kurns, Kenns, and Kurns. Common variants of the surname in the United States today are Kerns, Kearns, Karns, and Carns.
Famous people with the name Karns
- Russell Karns: American actor, best known for his roles in the classic films Follow the Fleet, Topper Returns, and Never Give a Sucker an Even Break.
- Mark Karns: English actor, best known for his roles in EastEnders, Coronation Street, and The Bill.
- Rebecca Karns: American actress, best known for her role in the movie Home and Away.
- David Karns: American actor, best known for his roles in the TV series Bewitched and The Many Loves of Dobie Gillis.
- Debbie Karns: American model and actress, best known for her role in the James Bond film A View to a Kill.
- Ric Karns: American actor and musician, best known for his roles in I Dream of Jeannie and Valley of the Dolls.
- Victoria Karns: American singer and songwriter, best known for her singles "I'm Free" and "Torn Between Two Lovers".
- Bree Karns: American professional dancer, best known for her appearances in Step Up and Save the Last Dance.
- Mark Karns: American video game designer, best known for his work on the iconic game Street Fighter.
- Jason Karns: American comedian, best known for his appearances on stand-up comedy shows such as Comedy Central and Last Comic Standing.