Surname Kerrisk - Meaning and Origin
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Kerrisk: What does the surname Kerrisk mean?
Kerrisk is a surname historically associated with Irish and Scottish families. The name likely originates from the Gaelic words “carragh” and “eisce”, which together mean “the marsh land of the fish”. This region likely referred to the marshes of the town of Carrickfergus in Northern Ireland, where Kerrisk families are known to have settled in the 1600s.
The name Kerrisk is associated with two Mainly Irish Clans; one is the O’Carrig Castle. This clan is said to have descended from the first King of West Munster, Eochaidh O’Carrig, who reigned between the 11th and 12th centuries AD. The other is the Fisher or Fischel clan, which is an old North Irish sept or family branch of the O’Neills, one of the most powerful and influential Irish noble families of the 15th and 16th centuries. The Fishers were a warrior class who were renowned for their prowess in battle and their loyalty to the O’Neills.
Over the centuries, the Kerrisk families in various parts of the world adopted different spellings to their name; some added a letter, while others dropped one or more letters. For example; Carrisks, Karrick, Kerrisk, Kericks, Kerricks, Kerrix, Kerrics, Karrigs and Carrigs.
Today, the surname Kerrisk can be found mainly among the families who live in Ireland and Scotland, though they can also be found in the USA, Canada, Australia, Netherlands, Germany, France, and other countries. The name is a testament to the strength of a family that has managed to thrive despite all the challenges they’ve faced and remain proud of their unique heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisKerrisk: Where does the name Kerrisk come from?
Kerrisk is a surname largely found in Ireland. The name comes from the Ancient Irish sept Mac Gearailt. It originated in County Galway and is found mainly in the Galway, Mayo, Tipperary and Carlow regions. Outside of Ireland, the Kerrisk name is more commonly found among Irish emigrants who settled in Britain and North America during the 19th and 20th centuries.
Today, thekerrisk name is most widely distributed throughout the Island of Ireland, especially in its western regions such as Galway, Mayo, Tipperary, Limerick, Cork and Kerry. It is also found in other parts of Britain, especially in Scotland, as well as in North America.
In the United States, the Kerrisk name can is found mostly in states with positive Irish influences such as Massachusetts, New York, Pennsylvania, Maryland, Kentucky, Ohio, and Iowa. In Canada, the name can also be found in Ontario and Quebec.
In other parts of the world, the name has spread, with influences in Australia, New Zealand, Chile, Uruguay, and Brazil. However, the name is still most widely associated with Ireland.
Variations of the surname Kerrisk
The surname Kerrisk is most commonly spelled as Kerrisk or Kerrisk, although the spelling can also be seen as Kerrish, Kirrisk, Corrisk, and Cerrisk. In some cases, the surname appears as Carisk, Carris, Carreys, Querris, Kirrush, and Kerish.
The origin of the Kerrisk surname is Irish. It is believed to be an Anglicized form of the Gaelic surname O'Cearbhaill, which is derived from the old Irish word meaning 'hero'. This surname also appears as O'Carras, O'Karas, and O'Carrisk. The Ulster variant of this surname is MacCorrish or MacCorris while the Connacht variant is MacCarras.
In Scotland, the name is recorded as Kerr and Kear. The name is also found written as Karres and Karrat in some records. Other variants of the name which have Scottish origins include MacGirrich, MacKrange, and MacGurrick.
Variants of the Kerrisk surname also appear in England and Wales. Here, the name has been recorded as Carrick, Carras, Karrick, Curry, and Corrick and Corrickle.
In some instances, different versions of the Kerrisk surname may have been used for a single family, depending on the region or country in which the family settled. It is also possible that different branches of the same family adopted different variations of the surname in order to differentiate themselves from similar families.
Famous people with the name Kerrisk
- Mark Kerrisk, Irish footballer
- Sean Kerrisk, Irish hurler
- Paddy Kerrisk, Gaelic footballer
- Roy Kerrisk, Australian musician
- Thomas Kerrisk, patron Saint of Canna
- Brian Kerrisk, musician and member of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences
- Colleen Kerrisk, American actress
- Bernard Kerrisk, British Council Chairman
- Siobhan Kerrisk, Australian rock singer
- Jack Kerrisk, former president of the Australian Football League