Kerwin History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

During the 19th century thousands of impoverished Irish families made the long journey to British North America and the United States. These people were leaving a land that had become beset with poverty, lack of opportunity, and hunger. In North America, they hoped to find land, work, and political and religious freedoms. Although the majority of the immigrants that survived the long sea passage did make these discoveries, it was not without much perseverance and hard work: by the mid-19th century land suitable for agriculture was short supply, especially in British North America, in the east; the work available was generally low paying and physically taxing construction or factory work; and the English stereotypes concerning the Irish, although less frequent and vehement, were, nevertheless, present in the land of freedom, liberty, and equality for all men. The largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. Research into passenger and immigration lists has brought forth evidence of the early members of the Kerwin family in North America:

Kerwin Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Robert Kerwin, who arrived in New England in 1770 4

Kerwin Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• John Kerwin, aged 24, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1820
• John Kerwin, who arrived in Pennsylvania in 1854
• John Kerwin, who arrived in Allegany (Allegheny) County, Pennsylvania in 1854 4

Kerwin Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• John Kerwin, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "South Sea"
• John Kerwin, aged 23, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Thomas Arbuthnot"

• Lance M. Kerwin (1960-2023), American actor, known for Outbreak (1995), Enemy Mine (1985) and Salem's Lot (1979)
• Daniel Patrick Kerwin (1874-1960), American outfielder in Major League Baseball
• Thomas Vincent "Tom" Kerwin (b. 1944), retired American professional basketball player
• Cornelius M. "Neil" Kerwin (b. 1949), American educator in public administration
• James Kerwin (b. 1973), American film and theatre director
• Brian Kerwin (b. 1949), American actor
• Joseph Peter Kerwin (b. 1932), former NASA astronaut with over 28 days in space aboard Skylab 2 5
• James E. Kerwin, American politician, Member of New Jersey State House of Assembly from Passaic County, 1913 6
• Edward J. Kerwin, American Democratic Party politician, Presidential Elector for New York, 1932 6
• Dennis P. Kerwin, American politician, Delegate to New York State Constitutional Convention 19th District, 1894 6
• ... (Another 13 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)