Kerr History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 
  Scotland 
  England 


The earliest forms of hereditary surnames in Scotland were the patronymic surnames, which are derived from the father's given name, and metronymic surnames, which are derived from the mother's given name. Scottish patronymic names emerged as early as the mid-9th century. The patronyms were derived from a variety of given names that were of many different origins. The surname Kerr is derived from the Gaelic name O'Ciarain or O'Ceirin, which itself comes from the Gaelic word ciar, which means black or dark brown. 1

Another source explains a different understanding of the origin of the name: "The frequency with which such entries as Robert or William del Carr, or atte Carr, or Karr, or Kerr recur in Lancashire and Yorkshire records of the 13th and 14th centuries is explained by the fact that Carr or Kerr meant a low-lying meadow." 2

And another source notes: "the Cars or Kers are undoubtedly a very ancient people in this island, but it is uncertain whether they be of French or English extraction. Those who contend for the former, allege that the Baron Ker and other families of his name now existing in France, trace their origin higher than the time of William, Duke of Normandy, who, being attended by a considerable commander of their name in 1066, rewarded him for his bravery and conduct with divers possessions in the north of England." 3

Early Origins of the Kerr family

The surname Kerr was first found in Lancashire (located in northwest England and dates back to 1180), where one of the earliest records of a progenitor of the Clan was a John Ker, hunter, resident of Soonhope in 1190 AD. He is believed to have received a grant of land from the Crown and settled in the Border country of Scotland soon after the Norman invasion moved northwards. 4

Within a century, two main branches evolved from two brothers, Ralph and John who lived near Jedburgh in c. 1330. They were both listed in the Roll of Battle Abbey as having descended from the Norman Karre. 5 The Kerrs of Cessford were descended from Ralph, and the Kerrs of Ferniehurst were descended from John.

Now we draw the reader's attention to a slightly different origin with a different timeline but similar. "Two brothers, of Anglo-Norman descent., who bore this name [Karre] are said to have settled in Scotland during the 13th century. No one known which was the elder of the two, for 'neither house would yield the superiority to the other, forming two distinct races of war-like Border chieftains.' The Kerrs of Fernihirst are represented by the Marquesses of Lothian, the Kers of Cessord by the Dukes of Roxburghe." 6

We believe that the reference to the 13th century is a typo, as it should have read 14th century (the 1300's) not the 1200's.

Early History of the Kerr family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kerr research. Another 172 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1130, 1205, 1264, 1296, 1350, 1553, 1570, 1578, 1600, 1605, 1606, 1609, 1615, 1616, 1624, 1650, 1654, 1675, 1680, 1684, 1690, 1741, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Kerr History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kerr Spelling Variations

The frequent translations of surnames from and into Gaelic, accounts for the multitude of spelling variations found in Scottish surnames. Furthermore, the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent because medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules. The different versions of a surname, such as the inclusion of the patronymic prefix "Mac", frequently indicated a religious or Clan affiliation, or even a division of the family. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into Scotland, accelerating accentuating the alterations to various surnames. The name Kerr has also been spelled Kerr, Car, Carr, Ker, Cearr (Gaelic) and many more.

Early Notables of the Kerr family

Notable among the family at this time was

Kerr World Ranking

In the United States, the name Kerr is the 721st most popular surname with an estimated 39,792 people with that name. 7 However, in Canada, the name Kerr is ranked the 249th most popular surname with an estimated 16,291 people with that name. 8 And in Australia, the name Kerr is the 166th popular surname with an estimated 18,721 people with that name. 9 New Zealand ranks Kerr as 111st with 3,896 people. 10 The United Kingdom ranks Kerr as 188th with 29,848 people. 11

Migration of the Kerr family to Ireland

Some of the Kerr family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 155 words (11 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Kerr migration to the United States +

Some of the first North American settlers with Kerr name or one of its variants:

Kerr Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Kerr Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Kerr Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Kerr migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kerr Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
Kerr Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Kerr migration to Australia +

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

Kerr Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Kerr 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:

Kerr Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Kerr migration to West Indies +

The British first settled the British West Indies around 1604. They made many attempts but failed in some to establish settlements on the Islands including Saint Lucia and Grenada. By 1627 they had managed to establish settlements on St. Kitts (St. Christopher) and Barbados, but by 1641 the Spanish had moved in and destroyed some of these including those at Providence Island. The British continued to expand the settlements including setting the First Federation in the British West Indies by 1674; some of the islands include Barbados, Bermuda, Cayman Island, Turks and Caicos, Jamaica and Belize then known as British Honduras. By the 1960's many of the islands became independent after the West Indies Federation which existed from 1958 to 1962 failed due to internal political conflicts. After this a number of Eastern Caribbean islands formed a free association. 21
Kerr Settlers in West Indies in the 18th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Kerr (post 1700) +


The Kerr 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: Sero sed serio
Motto Translation: Late but in earnest.


Suggested Readings for the name Kerr +
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