Show ContentsCurnane History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The original Gaelic form of Curnane was Mac Thighearnain, which is derived from the word "tighearna," which means "lord."

Early Origins of the Curnane family

The surname Curnane was first found in County Cavan, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Curnane family

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

Curnane Spelling Variations

Those scribes in Ireland during the Middle Ages recorded names as they sounded. Consequently, in this era many people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written down. Research on the Curnane family name revealed numerous spelling variations, including Kiernan, MacKiernan, Tiernan, McKernan, McKernon, McKernin, McKernen and many more.

Early Notables of the Curnane family

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


New Zealand Curnane 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:

Curnane Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mary Curnane, aged 20, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Hurunui" in 1877

Contemporary Notables of the name Curnane (post 1700) +

  • Joseph A. Curnane, American Democratic Party politician, Alternate Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 1960 1
  • Daniel B. Curnane, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Massachusetts, 1940 1


  1. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 28) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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