| ![Show Contents]() Kieren History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Ireland
Etymology of KierenWhat does the name Kieren mean? Gaelic, otherwise known as Early Modern Irish, was used in Ireland from around the year 1200 until the 18th century. It is from this language that we found the first references to the name Kieren as Ó Ciarain or Mac Ciarain. These names are derived from the word "ciar," which means "black" or "dark brown." 1 Early Origins of the Kieren familyThe surname Kieren was first found in County Mayo (Irish: Maigh Eo) located on the West coast of the Republic of Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they held a family seat from ancient times. Early History of the Kieren familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kieren research. Another 87 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kieren History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Kieren Spelling VariationsNames from the Middle Ages demonstrate many spelling variations. This is because the recording scribe or church official often decided as to how a person's name was spelt and in what language. Research into the name Kieren revealed many variations, including Kieran, O'Kieran, Keiran, Keighran, O'Keiran, Kerin and many more. Early Notables of the Kieren familyMore information is included under the topic Early Kieren Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Kieren familyThe 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the Kieren family relocated to North American shores quite early: James, Patrick and Thomas, who Keiran arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860; John and Thomas Kieran settled in Philadelphia between 1858 and 1868. In Newfoundland, William Kearon, from Tallon, Waterford county, Ireland, was married in St. John's in 1801.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Kieren (post 1700) | + |
- Kieren Robert Hutchison (b. 1974), New Zealand actor
- Kieren Jack (b. 1987), professional Australian rules footballer
- Kieren Francis Fallon (b. 1965), Irish racing jockey, British Champion Jockey six times
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: Fidens et constans
Motto Translation: Stand firm on trust.
- MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
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