Surname Kernaghan - Meaning and Origin
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Kernaghan: What does the surname Kernaghan mean?
The last name Kernaghan is an Irish surname originating from Ulster, an area that is now modern day Northern Ireland. Historically, the name was associated with a location known as Kernaghan Townland located in the Irish province of Ulster. The area was originally owned by a branch of the Magill family—descendants of the Kings of Mide— and the name Kernaghan is derived from the surname Mac Eoin, which is Irish for 'son of John'.
In Irish culture, surnames often served as a way to differentiate individuals of the same name, so the surname Kernaghan was likely given to distinguish an individual or an entire family of the same first name in Ulster.
Today, the surname Kernaghan is still common in many areas in Ireland, especially throughout Ulster. This surname may also be found in areas of the United States and Canada, as families of Irish heritage often immigrated to those countries during the period known as the Great Irish Famine.
Though the original meaning of the surname is unclear, historians have suggested that the name Kernaghan could be derived from a Gaelic word meaning "for one who was vigorous" or "strong". Whether this holds true or not, the surname is still used today to honor the Irish heritage of many countless individuals around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisKernaghan: Where does the name Kernaghan come from?
The last name Kernaghan is primarily found in Ireland and Scotland today. The name is of Irish and Scottish origin, which is derived from the Gaelic form of the name, O'Cearnachain, meaning 'descendant of Cearnachan'.
The name is most common in the Irish province of Donegal and is also found in Glasgow, Scotland. Records of the earliest occurrences of the name date back to the 11th century.
Today, the name is still in use by people of Irish and Scottish descent. Whilst there is now an international presence of those with the last name Kernaghan, it is predominantly located in the regions of Ireland and Scotland. There is a higher concentration of families with the name surrounding the town of Letterkenny in County Donegal. Records suggest that the population of Kernaghans living in or around Letterkenny could be as high as 15,000 people.
Outside of Ireland and Scotland, the last name Kernaghan is also found in England, the United States, Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and other parts of Europe. The name is particularly popular in America and Canada, with over 6,500 United States citizens having the Kernaghan surname in 2014.
Overall, the last name Kernaghan is most common in Ireland and Scotland, but there is a global presence of those with the surname, especially in the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname Kernaghan
The surname Kernaghan has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These include the following.
Kearney: This is a variant of the Irish Kernaghan surname. It is generally believed to have originated with Ó Cearnaigh of Byrney and become a well established surname in many parts of Ireland and the United States.
Kearnaghan: An alternative spelling of Kernaghan still found in Ireland and the Irish diaspora.
Kern: A shortened version of the surname Kernaghan, originating predominantly in Ireland and the United States of America.
Curnaghan: This is an anglicized version of the Irish surname Ó Cearnaigh. It is most common in counties Ulster and Leitrim in Ireland.
Kernan: This variant is found mainly in Ireland, and is a shortened version of Kernaghan. It is also found in parts of America as a result of emigration.
Keraghan: This is a variant of Kernaghan and is found mainly in Australia and the United States, due to the mass migration of Irish people to both countries in the 1800s.
Carraghan: A spelling variant of the Kernaghan surname, found predominantly in the United States.
Kearney: This variant of Kernaghan is most prevalent in Northern Ireland, particularly in the counties of Antrim, Down and Armagh.
Kearne: This variant of Kernaghan is most common in parts of the United States, Ireland and Canada.
Kerraghan: A variant of Kernaghan most commonly found in the United States.
Kerhen: This is an anglicized version of the Irish surname, and is found mainly in the United States.
In conclusion, the Kernaghan surname has quite a few variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. Some of these can be found in Ireland, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Northern Ireland.
Famous people with the name Kernaghan
- Lee Kernaghan: Lee Kernaghan is an Australian country music singer-songwriter. He was named "Australian of the Year" in 2008 and has won multiple awards from the Country Music Association of Australia and the Recorded Music Association of New Zealand. He has released 14 studio albums and his latest single, "It's Friday Night", was released in 2020.
- Guy Kernaghan: Guy Kernaghan is an Australian former rugby player, who played professionally for the South Sydney Rabbitohs in the 90s. He was selected in two Kangaroo tours and was part of the Australian National team in the 2000 Rugby World Cup.
- George Kernaghan: George Kernaghan is a Scottish former professional football player. He began his professional career with Rangers F.C. and played for a number of Scottish clubs, as well as Australian club North Melbourne in the late 90s.
- Dr. Fredric Kernaghan: Dr. Fredric Kernaghan is a Canadian doctor and academic. He has a specialty in gerontology and focuses on the health of the elderly. He is an associate professor at the University of Toronto and is a contributor to several educational and scientific journals.
- David Kernaghan: David Kernaghan is an English-Australian actor and dancer. He has appeared in several films, television shows, and theatre productions, such as The Firm, Superman Returns, and Dreamgirls.
- Darren Kernaghan: Darren Kernaghan is an Australian former rugby league player, who played professionally with the Balmain Tigers for most of his career. He represented Australia in 16 test matches and was part of the 2000 World Cup-winning team.