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Karr History Etymology Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Contemporary Notables Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Karr History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Netherlands
Scotland
Ireland
England

Etymology of Karr

What does the name Karr mean?

One of the most common classes of Scottish surnames is the patronymic surname, which arose out of the vernacular and religious naming traditions. The vernacular or regional naming tradition is the oldest and most pervasive type of patronymic surname. According to this custom, names were originally composed of vocabulary elements from the local language. Patronymic surnames of this type were usually derived from the personal name of the original bearer's father. The surname Karr is derived from the Gaelic name O'Ciarain or O'Ceirin, which itself comes from the Gaelic word ciar, which means black or dark brown. 1

Another source explains a different understanding of the origin of the name: "The frequency with which such entries as Robert or William del Carr, or atte Carr, or Karr, or Kerr recur in Lancashire and Yorkshire records of the 13th and 14th centuries is explained by the fact that Carr or Kerr meant a low-lying meadow." 2

And another source notes: "the Cars or Kers are undoubtedly a very ancient people in this island, but it is uncertain whether they be of French or English extraction. Those who contend for the former, allege that the Baron Ker and other families of his name now existing in France, trace their origin higher than the time of William, Duke of Normandy, who, being attended by a considerable commander of their name in 1066, rewarded him for his bravery and conduct with divers possessions in the north of England." 3

Early Origins of the Karr family

The surname Karr was first found in Lancashire (located in northwest England and dates back to 1180), where one of the earliest records of a progenitor of the Clan was a John Ker, hunter, resident of Soonhope in 1190 AD. He is believed to have received a grant of land from the Crown and settled in the Border country of Scotland soon after the Norman invasion moved northwards. 4

Within a century, two main branches evolved from two brothers, Ralph and John who lived near Jedburgh in c. 1330. They were both listed in the Roll of Battle Abbey as having descended from the Norman Karre. 5 The Kerrs of Cessford were descended from Ralph, and the Kerrs of Ferniehurst were descended from John.

Now we draw the reader's attention to a slightly different origin with a different timeline but similar. "Two brothers, of Anglo-Norman descent., who bore this name [Karre] are said to have settled in Scotland during the 13th century. No one known which was the elder of the two, for 'neither house would yield the superiority to the other, forming two distinct races of war-like Border chieftains.' The Kerrs of Fernihirst are represented by the Marquesses of Lothian, the Kers of Cessord by the Dukes of Roxburghe." 6

We believe that the reference to the 13th century is a typo, as it should have read 14th century (the 1300's) not the 1200's.

Early History of the Karr family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Karr research. Another 172 words (12 lines of text) covering the years 1130, 1205, 1264, 1296, 1350, 1553, 1570, 1578, 1600, 1605, 1606, 1609, 1615, 1616, 1624, 1650, 1654, 1675, 1680, 1684, 1690, 1741, 1797 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Karr History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Karr Spelling Variations

Scottish surnames are distinguished by a multitude of spelling variations because, over the centuries, the names were frequently translated into and from Gaelic. Furthermore, the spelling of surnames was rarely consistent because medieval scribes and church officials recorded names as they sounded, rather than adhering to any specific spelling rules. The different versions of a surname, such as the inclusion of the patronymic prefix "Mac", frequently indicated a religious or Clan affiliation or even a division of the family. Moreover, a large number of foreign names were brought into Scotland, accelerating accentuating the alterations to various surnames. The name Karr has also been spelled Kerr, Car, Carr, Ker, Cearr (Gaelic) and many more.

Early Notables of the Karr family

Notable among the family at this time was Mark Kerr (1553-1609), of Ferniehurst, who was made 1st Earl of Lothian in 1606; Robert Ker (1570-1650) of Cessford, who was created the 1st Earl of Roxburghe in 1616; Robert Kerr (or Carr), 1st Earl of Ancram (c. 1578-1654), a Scottish nobleman and writer; Robert Ker, 1st Earl of...
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Karr Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Karr Ranking

In the United States, the name Karr is the 3,400^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,948 people with that name. 7

Migration of the Karr family to Ireland

Some of the Karr family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 155 words (11 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Karr migration to the United States +

Some of the first immigrants to cross the Atlantic and come to North America carried the name Karr, or a variant listed above:

Karr Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Jasper Karr, who landed in Virginia in 1701 8
John Karr, who arrived in New England in 1722 8
James Karr, who landed in New England in 1722 8

Karr Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

William Karr, aged 24, who arrived in New York in 1812 8
Jacob Karr, aged 23, who arrived in Missouri in 1844 8
Johan B Karr, aged 25, who arrived in Missouri in 1844 8
Johann Konrad Karr, aged 60, who landed in Brazil in 1845 8
Nikolaus Friedrich Karr, who arrived in Brazil in 1846 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Karr migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Karr Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

Mr. Karr Norris U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 9
Mr. Karr Daniel Jr., U.E., "Carr" who settled in Ernest Town [Ernestown], Lennox & Addington, Ontario c. 1784 9
Mr. Karr Norris U.E., "Carr" who settled in Adolphus Town [Adolphustown], Ontario c. 1784 9

Contemporary Notables of the name Karr (post 1700) +

Ron Karr, American speaker, marketing consultant and author based in New Jersey, President of National Speakers Association for 2013-14, President of Karr Associates, Inc
Benjamin Joyce "Ben" Karr (1893-1968), nicknamed Baldy Karr, an American Major League Baseball pitcher who played between 1920 and 1927 for the Boston Red Sox (1920–22) and Cleveland Indians (1925–27)
Gary Michael Karr (b. 1941), American classical double bass virtuoso and teacher, considered one of the best bassists of the 20th and 21st centuries
Chris Karr, American businessman and politician serving as a member of the South Dakota House of Representatives from the 11th district (2017-)
Sarah Rose Karr (b. 1984), American former child actress, best known for her roles in the movies Beethoven and Beethoven's 2nd as Emily Newton
Mary Karr (b. 1955), American poet, essayist and memoirist, noted for her 1995 bestselling memoir The Liars' Club.
John Andrew Karr, American author and self described programmer analyst
Phyllis Ann Karr (b. 1944), American author of fantasy, romances, mysteries, and non-fiction
David Harold Karr (1918-1979), controversial American journalist and businessman
Kathleen Karr (b. 1946), American author of historical novels for children
... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

The Karr Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Sero sed serio
Motto Translation: Late but in earnest.

Citations +

Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
The Norman People and Their Existing Descendants in the British Dominions and the United States Of America. Baltimore: Genealogical Publishing, 1975. Print. (ISBN 0-8063-0636-X)
Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 2 of 3
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X