Surname Kerins - Meaning and Origin

Kerins: What does the surname Kerins mean?

Kerins is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic word “O’Ciarain”, meaning “son of Ciaran”. Ciaran is an old Gaelic name which is believed to be derived from the Irish word “ciar” meaning “black”. The origin of this name is somewhat unclear; some believe that it is related to the idea of a dark-haired man, while others attribute its origin to the use of “black” as a descriptor of character. In both cases, however, the meaning of the name generally relates to someone who is seen as determined and strong-willed.

The surname has been prevalent in Ireland since antiquity, however, records of individuals bearing the name are relatively rare. It seems to have been most common in Connacht, a southwestern province of Ireland. The earliest record of an individual of this surname dates back to 1588, when Roger Kerins was noted as living in what is now modern-day Donegal.

It is likely that those with the surname Kerins are descended from a renowned sept, or clan, within the province of Connacht. This would explain why the surname is concentrated in this area and why it is relatively uncommon outside this region.

Kerins is a proud Irish surname that evokes a proud history of determined, independent individuals. Its Gaelic origin often reflects a person of great strength and character, a trait that continues to be seen in many of the current bearers of this noble surname.

Kerins: Where does the name Kerins come from?

The last name Kerins is most commonly found in Ireland. Records show that the Kerins family is one of the most ancient clans in that region, and are believed to have originated in the county of Clare, located in the western part of the country. Research indicates that the last name dates back to 1000 A.D. The name can also be found in the United States, particularly in the Midwestern and New England states. It has even been spotted in Canada.

In Ireland, the Kerins name is still strong and many people of this surname can be found across the country. Most of the families that carry the name trace their ancestry back to Clare, where many of the oldest and most prominent Kerins lines have resided over the generations since the clan’s arrival. Records of the name have been found in Cork, Galway, Connacht, and Leinster, as well as some other parts of Ireland.

Today, the Kerins name can be found scattered throughout the US and other parts of the world, as the family has branched out over time. There are a variety of different spellings of the last name, including Kearns, Keeran, Kirnan, and Kerin. As the years have passed, the Kerins lineage has continued to spread, though much of the family remains in their original ancestral homeland.

Variations of the surname Kerins

Kerins is a surname of Irish origin, originating from the Gaelic Ó Ciaráin, meaning son of Ciarán, where Ciarán is a Gaelic name meaning “little dark one”. Over time and due to different pronunciation methods, the name has taken on various forms.

Variants of Kerins include Kearns, O’Kearns, Kearnes, O’Kearnes, Keerans, O’Keerans, Keirans, O’Keirans, Kerin, and O’Kerin. Spellings of the name may appear as Keerins, Keerrins, Keran, Kerran, Kerrens, Kerrins, and Kerrones.

The O’ prefix indicates direct descent from an original bearer of the name. Surnames of the same origin include MacCiaran, McCarrick, McCarran, MacCarran, MacCarrick, MacKerin, and Ciaran.

Kerins is most commonly found in Ireland, but many members of the family have left the island and are known to have spread to the UK, US, and Canada.

Historically, the surname was associated with the powerful O’Neill clan who controlled large territories in Ulster (now Northern Ireland). During the plantations of Ulster in the 1600s, however, many of the name bearers were forced to emigrate and spread their surname far and wide.

Famous people with the name Kerins

• Brian Kerins: Irish Fianna Fáil politician, who served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Wexford constituency from 1997 to 2002.
• Larry Kerins: American retired Major League Baseball pitcher. He pitched for the Oakland Athletics from 1997 to 2001.
• Ken Kerins: American actor, best known for his role as Adam on the hit 1990s television show "Sabrina, the Teenage Witch".
• Jean Kerins: American beauty pageant winner who was crowned Miss Massachusetts 1982.
• Carrie Kerins: American actress who starred in the 1968 film "Yours, Mine and Ours".
• Jim Kerins: American actor who has played various roles in television and film since the mid-1970s.
• Eamonn Kerins: Irish former professional footballer who played as a midfielder for the English side Bradford City from 2001 to 2003.
• Andrew Kerins: Australian professional rugby league footballer who played for the St. George Illawarra Dragons.
• Bernie Kerins: British former racing driver who raced in Formula One from 1969 to 1971.
• Eoin Kerins: Irish professional footballer who currently plays for the Leinster Senior League side Avondale United.

Other surnames

Kerin