Kearney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 


The surname derives from the Gaelic "O Catharnaigh," derived from the word "cearnach," meaning "warlike" or 'victorious'.

Early Origins of the Kearney family

The surname Kearney was first found in County Meath (Irish: An Mhí) anciently part of the kingdom of Brega, located in Eastern Ireland, in the province of Leinster and County Clare where O'Kearney, were chiefs of Avon-Ui-Cearney or O'Kearney's River, a district about Six-Mile-Bridge, in the baronies of Tulla and Bunratty.

Early History of the Kearney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kearney research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1561, 1564, 1565, 1567, 1600, 1602, 1603, 1625, 1640 and 1650 are included under the topic Early Kearney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kearney Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Carney, Kearney, O'Kearney, O'Carney and others.

Early Notables of the Kearney family

Prominent amongst the family at this time was

Kearney World Ranking

In the United States, the name Kearney is the 1,750th most popular surname with an estimated 17,409 people with that name. 1 However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Kearney is ranked the 681st most popular surname with an estimated 64 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name Kearney is the 816th popular surname with an estimated 4,815 people with that name. 3


Kearney migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kearney Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Kearney Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Kearney migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kearney Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Kearney migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Kearney Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Kearney migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Kearney Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Kearney (post 1700) +


The Kearney Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sustine et abstine
Motto Translation: Sustain and abstain


Suggested Readings for the name Kearney +
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