Surname O'Keran - Meaning and Origin
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O'Keran: What does the surname O'Keran mean?
The last name O'Keran is derived from the Irish surname O' Ciardhubhain, which was shortened to O' Keeran and O' Carrone over the years. The root of the name is Ciar, meaning “black” or “dark” in Gaelic. It is thought that the original O' Keerans were descendents of the powerful O' Ciardhubhain kingdom in Connacht.
The prefix "O'" indicates the bearer is a clan or family member. The clan was a very large and powerful one and often clashes with the powerful O' Connors and the nearby O’Kelly. The clan were known for their bravery and loyalty to their line, so often the name would have been associated with warriors and chieftains.
In the 1700's the family started to expand out off Ireland and into places like Australia, England and North America and the name was changed over the years. In Australia and England the O' Keeran became O' Keran while those who settle in North America kept the name as it was, O' Ciardhubhain.
Today, the O' Keran name is associated with individuals who have a connection to the Irish community. They have a proud history and strong heritage that links them to antiquity and powerful clans of old. The name O' Keran continues to be carried with pride as they strive to honour the achievements of their ancestors in a new land.
Order DNA origin analysisO'Keran: Where does the name O'Keran come from?
The last name O’Keran is a common occurrence throughout Ireland and parts of Scotland. Many members of the O’Keran family still reside in the Irish counties of Cork and Kerry, with several more in the surrounding area. In the United States, many families with the last name O’Keran have ties to the Irish immigrants who emigrated to the United States during the 19th and early 20th centuries.
Various sources indicate that the O’Keran surname originated from the Irish Gaelic first name “O’Ciaragain”, a combination of the old Irish name “Ciar” and “O’”, which derives from “Grandson of”. The name has variously been found spelled as Cearagain, Kerans, and O'Kerans over the years.
People with the O’Keran name are found all over the world, from Ireland, to Scotland, to the United States, Canada, Australia, and even as far away as New Zealand. In the United States, the states with the greatest concentration of O’Keran families are New York, Pennsylvania, Michigan, Illinois, Massachusetts, and New Jersey.
Given its Irish-Scottish roots, the O’Keran family has a long tradition of clan service, music, and storytelling; some of these oral traditions have been passed down between generations, while others have been written into books and novels. In addition to this, O’Keran descendants have also served their country in numerous military conflicts, including both World Wars, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War.
Though less common than it used to be, the O’Keran name continues to remain in use today, across the globe, as communities keep alive the traditions of their ancestors and celebrate the rich Irish-Scottish heritage of those with the last name O’Keran.
Variations of the surname O'Keran
The surname O'Keran, derived from the Irish language, is an Anglicisation of the Gaelic Ó Ciaráin, which is derived from the personal name Ciarán, meaning ‘little dark one’ or ‘little black one’. Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include the following:
-Kerin: Anglicised form of the Irish name Ó Ciaráin
-Kerwin/Kerwen/Kerwenne: Alternate spellings of the Above
-Cerin/Cerwin/Cerwen/Cerwenne: Alternate spellings of the Anglicized surname
-Kearan/Kearin: Variants of the Gaelic prefix 'Ó'
-Cearan/Cearin: Variants of the Gaelic prefix 'Ó'
-O'Ceran/O'Keran: Anglicised versions of the original Gaelic form
-O'Cearan/O'Kearan: Variants of the Anglicised versions of the original Gaelic form
-O'Kearney/O'Kearny/O'Kerney/O'Kerney: Anglicised versions of the Gaelic form
-Kenan/Kernan: Variations on Gaelic prefix 'Ó'
-Kerrigan/Kerrighen/Kerrigin/Kerrigan: Variations of the Gaelic name
-Csering/Ciering/Csering/Cxering/Kieran/Kierin/Kiernan: Variations of the Gaelic name
The surname O'Keran, along with its related forms and spellings, was widely distributed throughout Ireland and can be found in considerable numbers in all 32 counties. It can be reduced to the letter O'K and is also commonly shortened to simply Keran.
Famous people with the name O'Keran
- Brian O’Keran: American actor known for his roles on television series such as The O.C., Lost, and Shameless.
- James O’Keran: American politician and former chairman of the Republican National Committee.
- George Taylor O’Keran: American sculptor and painter; known for his sculptures of presidents and other celebrities.
- Meave O’Keran: Irish writer and poet best known for her collections of poetry, prose, and essays.
- Patrick O’Keran: British actor, known for his roles in films such as Two-Way Stretch and Up the Junction.
- Kevin O’Keran: Irish businessman and former chairman of the Irish health insurance group, VHI Healthcare.
- Seamus O’Keran: Irish novelist and poet best known for his novel, The Good Room.
- Donal O’Keran: Irish composer and playwright known for his musicals, operas, and ballets.
- Aidan O’Keran: Irish film producer/director, known for his work on films such as The Field and In the Name of the Father.
- Niall O’Keran: Irish singer-songwriter best known for his work on albums such as Home and Down the Road.