Surname Kerdiff - Meaning and Origin
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Kerdiff: What does the surname Kerdiff mean?
The last name Kerdiff is derived from the Irish/Gaelic "O Cairdiffe," which translates to "son of Cairdiffe" or "descendent of Cairdiffe." It is believed that Cairdiffe is derived from the Gaelic words cair, meaning "warm," and dubh, meaning "black." The surname Kerdiff was predominantly found in County Fermanagh in Northern Ireland and was borne by a number of different families.
The Kerdiff family were one of the first Gaelic families to settle in County Fermanagh in the early part of the 17th century. From then on they established the Kerdiff name in the local area. The Kerdiffs were mainly of the Scottish-Irish ancestry, with some family members migrating to America in the mid-1800s.
Kerdiffs were often tenants or smaller landowners and were known for their industriousness. As a result, the Kerdiffs became an integral part of the local community. They were known for being reliable and trustworthy and became respected as good neighbours and contributing members of society.
Kerdiffs have left a proud legacy in County Fermanagh, having achieved success in all areas of life. The Kerdiff name is still very much present in the area, with many county residents still bearing the surname. The proud heritage of the Kerdiffs will continue to live on for many years to come.
Order DNA origin analysisKerdiff: Where does the name Kerdiff come from?
The surname Kerdiff is not currently very common, but there are a few key places around the world where it's found. In the United Kingdom, the name pops up occasionally especially in the south of the country. In Ireland, the last name is a bit more common and could be found in the counties of Limerick and Galway.
In Canada, there are a few places where the name Kerdiff is seen. The most prominent area is Newfoundland where it has been connected to some prominent families, including the Kerdiff-Powers family who have owned businesses in the province for generations.
Kerdiff is also common in the United States, particularly in the south. The states of Kentucky, Tennessee, North Carolina, South Carolina, and Georgia all have pockets of Kerdiffs, many of which are concentrated in rural regions and small towns.
What might be the most surprising is that the surname can also be found in India. The Kerdiffs in India are believed to have emigrated from the U.K., settling in Mumbai, Bangalore, Hyderabad, and other cities.
In summary, although the last name Kerdiff isn't particularly common today, there are still a few spots around the world where it can be found. In the U.K., Ireland, Canada, the U.S., and India, pockets of Kerdiffs remain, many of whom are descended from loyal families who have lived in those areas for generations.
Variations of the surname Kerdiff
The surname Kerdiff is an anglicized version of the earlier Irish surname Ó Cairealláin or Ó Coirealláin. The modern Gaelic spelling is Ó Cearbhaill, and the pronunciation in English is approximately "Oh Care-vell".
Variants of the name Kerdiff include Kierdiff, Carvill, Kearvell, O'Carvill, O'Kearvell, and Kearvel.
Kierdiff is perhaps the most common variant of the name, often found in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Its pronunciation is similar to Kerdiff, and is sometimes anglicized to Kierfield.
Carvill is another variant of Kerdiff, which first appeared in the form of the Old English personal name Ceorl. The pronunciation of Carvill is usually slightly different from KerdiffThis variant of the surname is often found in Scotland, England, and New Zealand.
O'Carvill and O'Kearvell are anglicised forms of the Irish Ó Cearbhaill, which is the modern-day form of the earlier Gaelic surname. This variant of the surname is often found in the United States, particularly in Kentucky and Tennessee.
Kearvel is the anglicised form of the Old English personal name Ceapa, which is believed to be derived from the Old English word cēap, meaning storekeeper or merchant. This variant of the surname is often found in Australia.
The spelling of the surname Kerdiff is sometimes also seen in French and Spanish-speaking countries. The French spelling of the name is Laverdure, while the Spanish spelling is Qerderiff.
Famous people with the name Kerdiff
- Jack Kerdiff: Seamus Jack Kerdiff is a former Irish Gaelic footballer from Bray in County Wicklow. He won an All-Ireland Senior Football Championship medal in 1976 and four Leinster Senior Football Championships.
- Matt Kerdiff: Matt Kerdiff was a professional cyclist who won the Irish National Road Race Championships.
- Shane Kerdiff: Shane Kerdiff is an Irish rugby union player who plays as a centre for Leinster Rugby.
- Tom Kerdiff: Tom Kerdiff is a former Irish footballer, having played for Drumcondra FC.
- Bernard Kerdiffe: Bernard Kerdiffe is a former Irish cricketer from County Cork.
- James Kerdiffe: James Kerdiffe is a former Irish player of the popular card game, Forty Fives.
- John Kerdiffe: John Kerdiffe is a former Irish Parliamentary Party politician who served as a Member of Parliament from 1918-1922, representing the Dublin County Constituency.
- Michael Kerdiffe: Michael Kerdiffe was the first Lord Mayor of Cork City in the 18th century.
- Fergus Kerdiffe: Fergus Kerdiffe was an Irish nationalist politician who served in the House of Commons from 1906-1918.
- John Nicholas Kerdiff: John Nicholas Kerdiff was an Irish barrister and politician who served in the House of Commons from 1918-1922, representing the Carrick-on-Shannon seat.