Kernen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Germany
Ireland

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

Early Origins of the Kernen family

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

Early History of the Kernen family

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

Kernen Spelling Variations

Before widespread literacy came to Ireland, a name was often recorded under several different variations during the life of its bearer. Accordingly, numerous spelling variations were revealed in the search for the origin of the name Kernen family name. Variations found include Kiernan, MacKiernan, Tiernan, McKernan, McKernon, McKernin, McKernen and many more.

Early Notables of the Kernen family

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

Kernen migration to the United States +

A massive amount of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century for North America and Australia in hopes of finding more opportunities and an escape from discrimination and oppression. A great portion of these migrants arrived on the eastern shores of the North American continent. Although they were generally poor and destitute, and, therefore, again discriminated against, these Irish people were heartily welcomed for the hard labor involved in the construction of railroads, canals, roadways, and buildings. Many others were put to work in the newly established factories or agricultural projects that were so essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the world. The Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s initiated the largest wave of Iris immigration. Early North American immigration and passenger lists have revealed a number of people bearing the name Kernen or a variant listed above:

Kernen Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jakob Kernen, who arrived in America in 1744 1

Citations +

Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)