Surname Kerney - Meaning and Origin

Kerney: What does the surname Kerney mean?

The last name Kerney is an English name that is believed to have derived from the Old English word 'cerne', which refers to a sacred pool of water. It has been suggested that this name could have been given to a family who lived near such a pool, or who were charged with looking after it in some way.

Kerney is an uncommon surname, but is still found in parts of England, Ireland, and the United States. In the US, it is also known as Kerny, Kernye, and Kernyey. The name is also found in the Massachusetts area, where English immigrants first arrived.

Kerney is often seen as signifying a strong sense of loyalty and dedication - qualities that are likely to have been found amongst the families who chose this name. The name is also associated with independence, as it implies that the holder of the surname did not need to rely on others for their support.

The Kerney surname is believed to date back to at least the early 17th century, when records of its appearance begin to appear in English records. While the family may have had some sense of identity prior to this, the surname appears to have become more widely used over time.

A bearer of the Kerney name is likely to be proud of their family history and their connection to the ancient pool of water that the name is associated with. They will also likely take great pride in their sense of loyalty and independence, and strive to live up to the positive traits that are associated with this name.

Kerney: Where does the name Kerney come from?

Kerney is an uncommon surname today, and it can generally be found among people who share Irish and Scottish ancestry. It is derived from the O’Cearnaigh surname, which was common among families of the old Gaelic-Irish nobility. The name is most commonly found today in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and the United States.

In the UK, Kerney is reported to be most common in Northern Ireland, and has been recorded predominantly in County Antrim. It is also found in England, particularly in the counties of Kent and Yorkshire. In Scotland, the name is mainly associated with Strathclyde and Aberdeen.

In the United States, records show that Kerney families migrated principally from Ireland and Scotland to America during the 19th century, with many settling in larger cities such as New York City and Philadelphia. Subsequent records indicate that members of the family are widely found in states such as New York, New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, California and Texas.

While the surname Kerney remains uncommon, it is mainly associated with individuals of Irish and Scottish origin and it is no longer restricted to their former homelands.

Variations of the surname Kerney

The surname Kerney has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Variants of the name include Kearney, Karney, Korney, Kernee, Karny and Kerny. Spellings of the name can include Kerney, Kearny, Kearney, Karney, Korny, Kerny, Karni and Karnee. Similar surnames with the same origin as Kerney are Kern, Kerns, Kearns, Kearnsey, Kinney, Kinne, Kennie, Kinnie, Kinneay, Kinnee, Kinny and Kinyon.

The origin of the surname Kerney is Irish, and derives from the Irish surname “Ó Cearnaigh”. This surname means “descendant of Cearnach”, a personal name composed of two Gaelic elements. The first element is “ceann”, meaning “head” or “chief” and the second element is “rath”, meaning “fort”.

The surname Kerney is most common in Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States. It can also be found in other countries such as Australia, Canada and New Zealand. There are many records of the surname Kerney in the history of Irish emigration. During the nineteenth century, hundreds of people with the surname Kerney emigrated from Ireland to the United States and other countries. The family was among the first Irish settlers in the United States and established itself in the country.

Today, the surname Kerney is still quite widespread in Ireland, the United Kingdom and the United States. It is also found in other countries such as Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Famous people with the name Kerney

• Brian Kerney: Former professional American football defensive end for the Seattle Seahawks of the National Football League (NFL).
• Maureen Kerney: American professional golfer who plays on the LPGA Tour.
• Sebastian Kerney: Considered one of the best Amateur Twelvers in the world, Sebastian has been featured in numerous National and International titles including the Cabarita Beach Pro Tour and the Oceania Amateur Championship.
• Michael Kerney: Former defensive coordinator for the Detroit Lions National Football League (NFL).
• Mark Kerney: Singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist from Austin, Texas, who has released five studio albums and one live album since 1997.
• Tony Kerney: American professional tennis player, specializing in doubles tennis. He has represented the US in Davis Cup competition.
• Marcos Kerney: TV producer and Actor who starred in the Peruvian soap opera, El Secreto de Mateo.
• Joy Kerney: American actress and fitness trainer, best known for her numerous appearances in television series and movies throughout her career that spanned over a decade.
• Paul Kerney: American entrepreneur who has worked in a variety of fields, including high-end apparel, leather goods, outdoor gear, media and art.
• Warren Kerney: President of 2B Life, a faith-based nonprofit organization providing life skills training to young people and employment for the disabled.

Other surnames

KernekKernenKernerKernert