Curnyn History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Early Origins of the Curnyn family

Early History of the Curnyn family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Curnyn research. Another 53 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Curnyn History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Curnyn Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Curnyn include Kiernan, MacKiernan, Tiernan, McKernan, McKernon, McKernin, McKernen and many more.

Early Notables of the Curnyn family

More information is included under the topic Early Curnyn Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Curnyn family

Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Curnyn name: Hugh Kiernan who arrived in Philadelphia in 1802; followed by James in 1826; Charles, James, John, Michael, Patrick, Thomas Kiernan all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1870.