Surname Kearin - Meaning and Origin

Kearin: What does the surname Kearin mean?

Kearin is an Irish surname, typically found in the north-west of Ireland. It is thought to be derived from the Gaelic "O'Céirín". The ‘O’ prefix is a sign of respect used for the male line of the family.

Historically, the Kearin name has been associated with sea-faring and it is believed that the family were involved in fishing, passenger and cargo transportation around the northwestern Irish coast.

The name Kearin is related to the Old Irish word "céir", meaning a journey or voyage. It can also be interpreted as 'standing at the side', or on the 'edge', referring to a quality of industry and perseverance. This is especially true as many of the earliest Kearin recorded were located on the edge of lakeland, and very much at the edge of the traditional 'westland'.

The Kearin family famously fought alongside King Conlaed in the defense of Clones Castle against Harold II in 1093. The battle was won by Conlaed and it was at this moment the Kearin family was granted the privilege of using their family name as an hereditary surname.

The name has since become synonymous with a quality of courage, perseverance, and loyalty. The Kearin family have helped shape the people and the landscape of Ireland throughout the centuries and their proud spirit and unyielding commitment is celebrated to this day.

Kearin: Where does the name Kearin come from?

The last name Kearin is most commonly found in Ireland, though its presence is becoming increasingly globalized. In the most recent Ireland Census, there were over 1,000 households registered with the Kearin surname, making it an incredibly common name within the area.

Outside of Ireland, the name has been seen throughout the United Kingdom, especially in England. Records show that the family has been located in England for centuries, tracing its roots back to at least the 18th century. Today, Kearin is also quite common in Australia, particularly in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.

Kearin is also found throughout North America, especially in the United States. Documents indicate that the Kearin family has been established in the United States since the 18th century and since then, the family's presence has grown. It is mostly concentrated in the Midwest, Northeast, and Southern states.

Results from the 2020 United States Census Bureau showed that the last name Kearin ranks 2,693rd as the most common surname in the United States. The city of New Stockton, in California, has the highest concentration of individuals with the Kearin last name, with approximately 3,490 people registered with the name. Though its family is somewhat scattered and globalized today, the Kearin name is an incredibly common one across the world.

Variations of the surname Kearin

Kearin is an Irish surname, derived from O' Ciardha (meaning “descendant of Ciardha”). There are a variety of spellings and surnames that are related to Kearin.

The most common variants of the name include Kearan, Keeran, Kearin, Kieran and Kiernan. These variations may be the result of variation of the Gaelic spelling or for ease of spelling and pronunciation in speaking English.

The surname is also found in Irish Gaelic as O' Ciarain, O'Kearon, O’Kearin, or O' Kearin. It may also appear in Scotland, where it is sometimes noted as McCarrin or McCarren.

Other related surnames include Kiaran, Ciaran, Ciaron, Ciaren, Cearan, Carron, Caron, Karan, Karin,Kerins, Keron, Kerron, Kyran and Kyrin.

The surname is found extensively in Ireland, however, it is also found in other countries, including Australia, Denmark, Ireland, Britain, the United States and Canada. The United States in particular shows quite a lot of variations in the spelling, suggesting an intrinsic connection between the countries by way of emigration.

Interestingly, the name is quite rare - even with its various spellings and variants, the name is not commonly found. However, it is still considered an Irish surname of strong legacy and Celtic origin.

Famous people with the name Kearin

• Finneas O’Connell Kearin: American singer, songwriter, an actor, and Grammy-winning producer best known for his work the late artist Billie Eilish.
• Ashton Alexander Kearin: An American actor and director, best known for his work on The Cyclone, and Who Is Emma?.
• Cameron Kearin: An English choreographer and dance artist, best known for his performance with Head Smashed In Buffalo Jump.
• Tamanarocher Kearin: Canadian actress, best known for her roles in television series such as Death Note, Dragon Boys, and Vincent and Me.
• Zoe Kearin: American actress and singer, best known for performing in plays such as Wicked, Aida, and Spring Awakening.
• Joel Kearin: American journalist and former aide adviser to President Barack Obama.
• Ryan Kearin: American musician, most known for being the frontman of the bands 100 Monkeys and Yip Yip.
• Tracey Kearin: American singer-songwriter, best known for her collaboration with popular electronic dance music duo Daft Punk.
• Emma Kearin: American television writer and producer, best known for producing shows such as Criminal Minds and Jane the Virgin.
• Jordan Kearin: British actor and screenwriter, best known for his roles in television shows such as Misfits and The Paradise.

Other surnames

Kearins