Surname Kearley - Meaning and Origin

Kearley: What does the surname Kearley mean?

The last name Kearley is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic surname "O Ciarhaola," where "O" means a grandchild or descendant, and "Ciarhaola" is an old personal name. The term "Ciar" translates to "dark" or "black" and "haola" refers to "relic." So, in a figurative sense, Kearley could be interpreted to mean "descendant of the dark relic." The name might have been initially referring to the dark-haired or dark-complexioned individuals. It's also possible that the personal name "Ciarhaola" may have signified a deep connection or devotion to religious artifacts or relics. Like many ancient surnames, the exact meaning can be lost or altered over time. Hence, tracing its precise connotations may be subject to interpretation.

Kearley: Where does the name Kearley come from?

The surname Kearley is of Irish origin, specifically from County Clare and County Galway in west Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic word "O’Cairealláin", which means "descendant of Caireallán".

In the ancient Gaelic form, it was used to describe someone who was quarrelsome or contentious. Over the centuries, several different spellings of the name, like Kerley, Kerly, and Carley, have emerged due to the phonetic translations from Gaelic to English.

Today, it is still primarily found in Ireland, but it is also common among Irish diaspora around the world, especially in the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. While it isn't a particularly common surname globally, significant concentrations can be found in these areas due to historical patterns of Irish emigration.

Variations of the surname Kearley

The surname Kearley originated from the Gaelic Irish clan name Ó Ciaráin or Ó Céirín, which loosely translates to "dark or black." This surname has significantly evolved over time into various variants, alternate spellings, and cognates due to linguistic and regional differences.

One of the most common variance is "Kearley," it has also been recorded as Kearley, Keerlly, Kerley, Kerly, and Carley. The name might occasionally appear as O'Kerley or O'Kearley, which signifies a familial descendant of Ciaráin or Céirín.

Some surnames like Kerly, Kerley, Kirley, Kirlie, and Kirly may also share the same origin. Similarly, Carley and Carly could also potentially have originated from the original Gaelic name, despite their common usage as first names today.

It is important to note that name spellings often vary through generations and between countries due to phonetic interpretations and regional accents.

Please note that variations in spelling, while related, can also develop distinct lineages over time, creating separate family branches, so having similar or variant spellings of a surname does not necessarily mean they share a common ancestor in recent history.

Famous people with the name Kearley

• Christopher Kearley: An American actor known for his roles in movies like 'One Fall' (2016), 'Bomb City' (2017), and 'House of Cards' (2013).
• Kevin Kearley: A Canadian ice hockey player who played for the NHL team, the Colorado Rockies, during the 1979-1980 season.
• Frank Kearley: An English professional footballer who played as a wing half.
• Sir Joseph Bernard Kearley, 1st Baronet: An English Liberal Party politician, trade unionist and Co-operative movement activist.
• Mike Kearley: A Canadian musician. These are the individuals named Kearley that have somewhat of a public profile, though not all are widely known or universally recognized as 'famous'.

Other surnames

Kearl