Surname Kearl - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Kearl: What does the surname Kearl mean?
The last name Kearl is believed to have origins in England, Ireland, France, and Scotland. It may be derived from the Old English word "ceorl," meaning "man." It is also thought to be related to the Gaelic name "Mac an Chathail," which translates to "son of Cathal." It is likely that those with the Kearl surname were descendants of the ancient Celts.
Today, those with the Kearl surname are concentrated in England and the United States. In the US, the last name is most heavily populated in Texas and Arkansas.
The name Kearl is also linked to the Kearl family crest. This crest features a crowned lion, which is often a symbol for bravery, courage and leadership. The Kearl Coat of Arms also features the red, white, and blue chequered shield, which is a symbol of royal status and nobility. The Coat of Arms may have been a granted to an ancestor of the Kearl family who had achieved notable service for his country or accomplished a great feat.
The name Kearl may also have originated from the Old French word "carle," meaning "knight." This suggests that those with the surname likely trace their roots back to a nobleman of the Middle Ages.
The last name Kearl is an intriguing one, with a rich history and symbolism behind it. It's a name that has passed down through the generations which is a reminder of the courage and strength of the families that once bore the name.
Order DNA origin analysisKearl: Where does the name Kearl come from?
The last name Kearl is most commonly found in the United States and Canada. In the United States, Kearl families can be found in the states of Utah, Arizona, Washington, Maine, Illinois, Ohio, and Pennsylvania. In Canada, Kearl families are most commonly found in the provinces of Saskatchewan and Alberta.
The Kearl last name is derived from the Old English word "cearle," which is of uncertain origin. According to some sources the name evolved from an occupational name, as Old English used "cearle" to refer to a landed gentleman or vassal of a lord. Alternatively, it may have been derived from a nickname of the same root word, referencing a characteristic of a person—perhaps bestowed to someone deserving of such a title or with a mere appearance of being such.
The earliest recorded instance of the last name of Kearl is in the year 1296 in Worcestershire, England. Usage of the name carried over to the United States during the colonial period. Today, the name is most commonly found in the United States and Canada.
Variations of the surname Kearl
The surname Kearl is of English origins and is believed to derive from the Middle English words kare or karell, meaning "carl" or "freeman". The variant spellings of Kearl include Kernell, Carrall, and Carrill. Alternative surnames stemming from Kearl include Kearley, Carl, Carlon, Karel, Carleton, Carling, and Karelson.
Kearl is an uncommon surname in modern times, often found in records and documents from Britain in the 16th century and earlier. The name was found particularly in the counties of Lancashire and Lincolnshire, usually occurring in the form of Carrall or Karel.
In Lancashire, the surname was recorded in 1540 in records for John Carrall of Lynx. In the post-medieval period, the family were found in the surrounding southern England counties of Warwickshire, Oxfordshire, Gloucestershire, and Buckinghamshire.
In Scotland, the family were found in the counties of Midlothian, Lanarkshire, and Renfrewshire. One of the earliest recordings of the surname in Scotland was that of William Kerrill of Midlothian in 1663.
The modern-day spellings of Kearl, Carrall, and Kernell are sometimes found throughout the world, particularly in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
A handful of records show the surname may have originated in Ireland, although there is no concrete evidence to back up the claim. Variants of Carrell and Kearley exist in the Irish records, and are believed to be derived from Kearl.
The surname Kearl is a rare one, but is still found in many countries throughout the world. Its variants demonstrate the family's evolution and movement throughout the centuries.
Famous people with the name Kearl
- Adam Kearl: Canadian soccer player currently playing for Forge FC.
- Brad Kearl: American professional ice hockey player.
- David Kearl: early American composer.
- Lorraine Kearl: Canadian synchronized swimmer who competed in the 1976 Summer Olympics in Montreal.
- Mark Kearl: lead singer of the band Sledgefire.
- Mark Kearl: American Visual Effects Supervisor.
- Philip Kearl: British swimmer who represented Great Britain in the 2000 Summer Olympics in Sydney.
- Robert Kearl: American figurative painter and digital artist.
- Robert Kearl: Australian-born theatre, opera and motion picture director, producer, and actor.
- Thomas Kearl: American activist for the rights of native people.