Origin & Meaning of the Kearney Surname
What does the last name Kearney mean?
The surname Kearney carries the meaning "Origin and meaning under research." It is derived from the Unknown language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 20,706 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Kearney ranks as the #1,730 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Kearney come from?
The Kearney surname has its roots in Unknown heritage. Names of Unknown origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Kearney name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Kearney trace back to Unknown. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Kearney |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Origin and meaning under research |
| Origin | Unknown |
| Language | Unknown |
| US Rank (2010) | #1,730 |
| US Count (2010) | 20,706 |
| Per 100K People | 7.02 |
| First Letter | K |
Ethnic Distribution of Kearney
According to the US Census, the Kearney surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 20,706 Americans with the Kearney last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 75.45% |
| Black | 19.71% |
| Hispanic | 2.16% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.62% |
| Native American | 0.22% |
| Two or More Races | 1.84% |
Popularity of Kearney Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Kearney surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Kearney surname increased by 768 between 2000 and 2010.
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Similar Surnames to Kearney
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Other Unknown Surnames
Explore more surnames with Unknown roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Unknown origin as Kearney.
Frequently Asked Questions About Kearney
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