The original Gaelic form of the name O'Carnahen is Ó Cearnachain, which is derived from the word "cearnach," which means "victorious." 1
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Early Origins of the O'Carnahen family
The surname O'Carnahen was first found in County Donegal (Irish: Dún na nGall), northwest Ireland in the province of Ulster, sometimes referred to as County Tyrconnel, where they held a family seat from ancient times.
Early History of the O'Carnahen family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Carnahen research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the year 1172 is included under the topic Early O'Carnahen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
O'Carnahen Spelling Variations
Individual scribes in the Ireland during the Middle Ages would often record a person's name various ways. How the name was recorded depended on what that particular scribe believed the proper spelling for the name pronounced to him was. Spelling variations revealed in the search for the origin of the O'Carnahen family name include Kernahan, Kernaghan, Carnahan, Carnaghan and others.
Early Notables of the O'Carnahen family
More information is included under the topic Early O'Carnahen Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
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Migration of the O'Carnahen family
The English-ruled Ireland of the late 18th and 19th centuries featured a rapidly increasing population and an agricultural-based economy. This combination proved to be disastrous in the 1840s after a couple of failed potato harvests. Thousands died of disease and starvation, and thousands more left the country, often bound for North America. Those that survived the journey to North America were put to work building the bridges, canals, roadways, and railways needed for the development of an industrial society. Those Irish, although often despised by those already established in North American cities and towns, played an instrumental role in making Canada and the United States the powerful and wealthy nations that they are today. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has shown many immigrants bearing the name O'Carnahen: Alexander Kernaghan who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1830; along with John (1840) and William(1856); Thomas Kernahan settled in Philadelphia in 1850.
