Surname Keirsey - Meaning and Origin
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Keirsey: What does the surname Keirsey mean?
The surname Keirsey is of Scottish origin, derived from the place name Kerse in the parish of Madderty in Perthshire. The name Kerse is believed to come from the Gaelic word "carras," meaning a marshy place or fen, referring to the marshy conditions of the farmland in the area. The transformation from Kerse to Keirsey likely occurred as family members moved to different regions or countries, adapting the spelling and pronunciation to suit local languages and dialects. The Keirsey surname is most frequently found in the United States, Australia, and the United Kingdom. It's important to note that surnames can have multiple origins and meanings in different cultures and regions, so the interpretation can vary.
Order DNA origin analysisKeirsey: Where does the name Keirsey come from?
Keirsey is not a common surname and therefore its origin is not richly documented. It could be a variant of "Kersey", an English surname derived from a place in Suffolk, England known for producing a coarse, medieval woolen cloth of the same name. It is also believed to be of Gaelic origin, and can be found among people of Irish descent.
Currently, the surname Keirsey is found in the United States with a larger concentration in California and New York. It also occurs within the communities in Canada, UK, and Australia but in much smaller numbers. Though the surname is not among the most common, individuals with this last name have made distinct contributions in different fields, notable among them is David Keirsey, a renowned psychologist and writer famous for his works on personality theory. Despite these, the surname can be considered quite rare still as compared to other surnames.
Variations of the surname Keirsey
The origin of the surname Keirsey is believed to be Scottish, specifically from a location known as the lands of Kerse in the area known as Sheriffdom of Perth. Throughout history, surnames often underwent changes for various reasons including regional dialects, literacy levels, and cultural changes. Variants and misspellings over the years might have included Kearsey, Kiersey, Kierseye, Keersy, Keersie, Karsey, Kersey, and Kerseye among others.
It's important to note that some of these variations may now also exist as distinct surnames due to factors like migration and family branching. Despite variations in spelling, these names would still usually share the same or similar phonetic sound.
In general, tracking surnames can be a complex task due to the numerous influences that can affect a name's spelling and usage over time, which may include political shifts, cultural changes, and even simple recording errors. Consequently, there could be more variations of the Keirsey surname than those listed above.
Famous people with the name Keirsey
- David Keirsey: American psychologist and author of the book, Please Understand Me.
- Sam Keirsey: Founding leader of the Keirsey Group, which focuses on helping people and organizations better understand emotions and personalities.
- David Keirsey Jr.: Son of David Keirsey and author of The Artisans among Us.
- Allison Keirsey: Business consultant and author of the book Lead Out Now.
- Alexandra Keirsey: Award-winning executive coach and consultant.
- Sally Keirsey: Co-founder of The Keirsey Group and authority on building strong and successful teams.
- Ronald Keirsey: Technology specialist with a special focus on engineering and innovation.
- James Keirsey: Radio broadcaster and founder of The Staples Show.
- Charles Keirsey: U.S. Marine Corps veteran and Chairman of the Keirsey Foundation.
- Patrick Keirsey: Actor and comedian known for his work on the television show Insecure.