Kernan Coat of Arms and Surname Origin

There is no single Kernan family crest for every bearer. Herald Lab researches the arms historically associated with the name and explains whose they were.

Meaning of the name

Spelled Kernan, the surname still points back to Kiernan. Its meaning, shared with Kiernan, is “Son of Tighearnán ("little lord")”.

Kernan is listed among the recognised spellings of Kiernan. Local scribes, dialects and emigration all left their mark on how the name was written. Related forms: McKiernan and Tiernan. Kernan ranked 9,850 in the 2010 US Census, with 3,284 people answering to the name. It sits within the 10,000 most common last names in the country.

Want more than a summary? See the Kernan family name pack.