Surname Keery - Meaning and Origin

Keery: What does the surname Keery mean?

The surname Keery is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name 'Ó Ciardha'. The name is thought to have derived from the ancient Gaelic word 'ciar', which means 'dark', or 'black'. This suggests that the ancestral family, likely during the Middle Ages, had dark hair and/or skin pigmentation.

The name Keery also appears to have Irish roots, in Counties Cork and Down. As many Irish surnames, the Keery name may have been derived from the ancient Gaelic terms for various occupations such as blacksmith, brewer, or artisan. It's also possible that the Keery surname was originally a shortened version of an original Irish clan name, likely of either the Welsh or Norman descent.

Today, the family name Keery is mostly found in County Cork, Ireland, as well as in the United Kingdom and the United States. The Keery surname is still widely used to name families, and is often considered a respected surname in the family tree.

In addition, the name Keery has family crests and coats of arms associated with it, which often appear as symbols of royalty and/or bravery. These symbols also serve to represent the proud Irish heritage that the Keery family continues to honor and embrace.

Keery: Where does the name Keery come from?

The last name Keery is most commonly found today in the United States, with the overwhelming majority of people bearing it located in the Midwest and Mid-Atlantic regions. The highest concentrations of people with the surname Keery can be found in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia. Beyond the US, the surname Keery is also quite common in Ireland, especially in counties located in the Leinster region.

In the United States, Keery is an uncommon surname, found chiefly in rural areas. Those with the surname Keery often cite their Irish heritage, indicating that the name is likely descended from immigrants who arrived in the US as far back as the 19th century. The surname may have been derived from the Old Irish "O'Ciardha" (pronounced Keery), a Gaelic name that blended the words "ciar" (black) and "dubh" (dark).

The surname Keery is usually associated with Irish Catholic families, though the surname can be found amongst people of other religious backgrounds as well. The largest clusters of families bearing the surname Keery in the US tend to be based in Pennsylvania, Ohio, and West Virginia, but there are also smaller pockets of people bearing the name all across the country.

In Ireland, the surname Keery is most often found in counties located in the Leinster province. Historically, the surname was associated with the Mac Giolla Choille family, indicating that it may be of Norman origin. The sheer geographical prevalence of the surname Keery indicates that it is a very ancient name, likely dating back several centuries.

Variations of the surname Keery

The surname Keery has multiple variations, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. The surname has an Irish, Gaelic, and Scottish origin. In Ireland, it is recorded as O'Kirby or O'Keary. In Scotland, it can be seen spelled as Kirby or Carrah.

Alternatively, the surname can also be seen spelled as Keary or O'Keary. This could be due to the influence of several Irish spellings, which included Macraghry and Macquarrie. There is also a Cornish variation that is spelled as Kerrey.

In England, two main spellings are particularly popular. The first spelling is Kery, which may also be spelled as Keary. And the second spelling is Keery, which is also seen spelled as Keerye, Kery, Kirry, and even Kirrie.

In addition to this, Keery is sometimes seen spelled as Kyra or Kera. It is possible that these spellings were influenced by the Irish variant of Kirwan. There are also histories of the surname being changed to Kirwan and Curran, as well as a host of other variants.

It is also common to come across the Portuguese or Spanish spelling of the surname as Querido. This spelling dates back to the 16th century, when the Portuguese and Spanish occupied Ireland and the British Isles. Thus, the Portuguese and Spanish form of the surname is very likely the result of immigration into these areas.

In summary, the surname Keery has many variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. There is an Irish, Gaelic, and Scottish origin, and in Britain the most common spellings are Kery, Keary, and Keery. It is also possible to come across the Portuguese or Spanish form of the name as Querido, which dates back to the 16th century.

Famous people with the name Keery

• Joe Keery: American actor who is best known for his role as Steve Harrington in the Netflix series Stranger Things
• Henry Keery- American cartoonist, author, and illustrator best known for his comic strip 'The Magic Pen of Henry Keery'
• John Keery: Canadian actor and director, perhaps best known for his role as Dr. Stadler in the television series Night Heat
• Robert Keery: Australian filmmaker and film editor, best known for his work on the films Strictly Ballroom and The Adventures of Priscilla, Queen of the Desert
• Sean Keery: Irish Olympic swimmer who competed in the 2004 Summer Olympics
• Frank Keery: American professional baseball player in the late 1800s
• Patrick Keery: Irish politician who served as the Leader of the Labour Party from 2003-2007
• William Keery: American painter and illustrator who was an important mover and shaker in the California Watercolor Movement
• Thomas Keery: Australian film editor, best known for his work on the film Gallipoli
• Robert K. Keery: American engineer and aviation expert, best known for his development and testing of the world's first jet helicopter in 1951

Other surnames

KeerKeerbachKeerican