Kearns is a Gaelic name with roots in the west and midlands of Ireland.
Where does the Kearns name come from?
Kearns is generally an anglicised form of the Gaelic Ó Céirín or Mac Céirín, based on the word ciar, meaning “dark” or “black” — a name describing dark colouring. It is closely related to names such as Kearon and Kerin, and is sometimes confused with Kearney, which has a separate root.
Kearns in Ireland
The name is associated particularly with Connacht and the midlands, where families of the name were long established. As an old Gaelic name, it appears in several spellings and is found today across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Related Irish family names
You may also like Kearney, Judge, and Barry.
Frequently asked questions
Is Kearns an Irish surname?
Yes — Kearns is a Gaelic Irish surname, generally from Ó Céirín, associated especially with Connacht and the midlands.
What does Kearns mean?
It is based on the word ciar, meaning “dark” or “black” — a name for dark colouring.
Is there a Kearns family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions.