Kearney — Last Name Origin & Meaning

Unknown origin Rank #1,730 in the US 20,706 Americans

US Rank (2010)
#1,730
▼ Down 83 since 2000
People in the US
20,706
7.02 per 100K people
Origin
Unknown
Unknown

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.

Unknown Unknown

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.

White 75.45%
Black 19.71%
Hispanic 2.16%
Asian/PI 0.62%
Native American 0.22%
Two+ Races 1.84%
Ethnic distribution of the Kearney surname in the US (2010 Census)
Ethnicity Percentage
White75.45%
Black19.71%
Hispanic2.16%
Asian/Pacific Islander0.62%
Native American0.22%
Two or More Races1.84%

Popularity of Kearney Over Time

Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Kearney surname has changed in prevalence.

Census 2000
#1,647
19,938 people
Down 83
Census 2010
#1,730
20,706 people

The number of Americans with the Kearney surname increased by 768 between 2000 and 2010.

Discover Your Kearney Ancestry

Uncover your family's history with a DNA test. Learn where your Kearney ancestors came from and connect with relatives worldwide.

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Similar Surnames to Kearney

These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Kearney.

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

The surname Kearney is of Unknown origin. Origin and meaning under research
The surname Kearney is ranked #1,730 in the United States with approximately 20,706 people bearing this name as of the 2010 US Census.
Origin and meaning under research. The name has Unknown roots and has been present in the United States for generations.
According to US Census data, the Kearney surname is distributed as: 75.5% White, 19.7% Black. This reflects the diverse heritage of Americans with this name.
To trace your Kearney ancestry, consider using DNA testing services like Ancestry.com, 23andMe, or MyHeritage. These services can connect you with relatives and reveal your ethnic heritage and migration patterns.

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