Surname MacKearney - Meaning and Origin

MacKearney: What does the surname MacKearney mean?

The last name MacKearney is an Anglicized form of the Irish surname Mac Ciaráin. The prefix “Mac” is a Gaelic word meaning “son of," while “Ciaráin” is a personal name meaning “black-headed one.” Thus, “MacKearney” can be translated to mean “son of the black-headed one.”

The name first appears in the records of County Donegal in the early 1200s, when the descendant of a Breton sea-captain named Oengus settled in the region. Over the centuries, MacKearney families branched out from Donegal and spread across Ulster and even into Scotland, where it eventually became anglicized to MacKearney.

Today, the name MacKearney is still common throughout Ireland, particularly in the Ulster counties of Donegal, Derry and Fermanagh. In addition, there are a few Scottish-based MacKearney families who settled in the state of North Carolina during the 1700s.

Overall, the name MacKearney demands respect. It stands as a proud reminder of the family’s roots, its struggles, and its remarkable history. In many ways, it mirrors the courage and resilience of the Irish people themselves.

MacKearney: Where does the name MacKearney come from?

The last name MacKearney is most common in Ireland, especially in County Tipperary, which is located in the southern province of Munster. The name has been traced to the year 1172, when a group of MacKearneys were noted living in Carrig-MacKearney. MacKearneys are also found in Scotland, particularly in the Argyllshire region. The name MacKearney is derived from the Gaelic “mac an Chatharnaigh”, which translates to “son of the Catharnach”.

The surname has also spread to other countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and even South Africa over the centuries. Today, MacKearneys are still found in all those countries, although the largest concentrations are still in Ireland and Scotland. The 2010 United States Census found that there were 1,350 people with the surname of MacKearney living in the United States.

The name has seen a surge of popularity over the past few decades, as more and more people look to connect with their Irish ancestry. Those with the name MacKearney may come from a long line of Irish patriots, soldiers, and philosophers. The name is a powerful reminder of the rich heritage all those with Irish surnames possess and cherish.

Variations of the surname MacKearney

The surname MacKearney is most commonly spelt MacKearney, but there are several other variants and surnames of a similar derivation. One of the oldest spellings of MacKearney is often spelt as MacCearnaigh, which is the Irish Gaelic form of the name. MacCearnaigh is derived from the old Irish name Cearnach, believed to have come from the Gaelic word ‘ceathair’, meaning four. This might be related to the four territories the name might have originated from; Tyrone, Antrim, Derry and Down.

In Scotland, MacKearney is more commonly spelt MacKerney. This spelling might have derived from the Scottish form of the original geography of the MacKearney’s homeland. Another variant is MacKernan, which is an anglicised version of MacCearnaigh. The surname MacKernan is believed to have originated in the region of Connacht.

Other forms of the surname include MacKearne, MacKearney, McKearney and McKearne. There may also be slight variations in spelling, such as M’Kearney, McKaren and McKearnan. As well as these, there are several other surnames related to the MacKearney name; Kearney, Carney, Karny and Cerny, just to name a few.

All of these variants are considered to be derived from the same ancestral family. As such, many people with these surnames can trace their lineage back to the same place.

Famous people with the name MacKearney

• Maureen MacKearney: Maureen MacKearney is an American film, television, and stage actress, best known for her many appearances in the movies Burglar (1987) and The Uninvited (1988).
• Ben MacKearney: Ben MacKearney is a Canadian actor best known for his work in the TV series The Handmaid’s Tale (2018–present).
• Kevin MacKearney: Kevin MacKearney is an American soccer coach, heading coach for Oakland University’s men’s soccer team.
• Alison MacKearney: Alison MacKearney is an Australian journalist and widely published author who has written feature articles for the Sunday Telegraph (Australia) and the Sunday Times (London).
• Martha MacKearney: Martha MacKearney is an English television presenter and producer, best known as a former presenter for the BBC, Discovery Channel, Channel 4, and Sky News.
• Tom MacKearney: Tom MacKearney is an American bodybuilder and powerlifter, who won the United States Powerlifting Championships in 2002 and 2004.
• Sean MacKearney: Sean MacKearney is an American music producer and DJ, best known for his work with Maroon 5.
• Paul MacKearney: Paul MacKearney is an Australian-Canadian cinematographer best known for his work on the film Platoon (1986).
• Ryan MacKearney: Ryan MacKearney is an American professional surfer. He is best known for his work on ASP World Tour events in the United States.
• Lillian MacKearney: Lillian MacKearney is an American journalist, author, and filmmaker, best known for her work on magazine covers for The New York Times Magazine, The Atlantic Monthly, and New York magazine.

Other surnames

MacKeary