Kierns History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

• Origins Available:
• Ireland

Etymology of Kierns

Gaelic, otherwise known as Early Modern Irish, was used in Ireland from around the year 1200 until the 18th century. It is from this language that we found the first references to the name Kierns as Ó Ciarain or Mac Ciarain. These names are derived from the word "ciar," which means "black" or "dark brown." 1

Early Origins of the Kierns family

Early History of the Kierns family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kierns research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kierns History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kierns Spelling Variations

A name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name Kierns include Kieran, O'Kieran, Keiran, Keighran, O'Keiran, Kerin and many more.

Early Notables of the Kierns family

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

Migration of the Kierns family

In the 19th century, thousands of Irish left their English-occupied homeland for North America. Like most new world settlers, the Irish initially settled on the eastern shores of the continent but began to move westward with the promise of owning land. The height of this Irish migration came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. With apparently nothing to lose, Irish people left on ships bound for North America and Australia. Unfortunately a great many of these passengers lost their lives - the only thing many had left - to disease, starvation, and accidents during the long and dangerous journey. Those who did safely arrive in "the land of opportunities" were often used for the hard labor of building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. The Irish were critical to the quick development of the infrastructure of the United States and Canada. Passenger and immigration lists indicate that members of the Kierns family came to North America quite early: James, Patrick and Thomas, who Keiran arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860; John and Thomas Kieran settled in Philadelphia between 1858 and 1868. In Newfoundland, William Kearon, from Tallon, Waterford county, Ireland, was married in St. John'.