NameCensus.

UK surname

Kearn

A locational surname originating from places called Cairn or Carn.

In the 1881 census there were 153 people recorded with the Kearn surname, ranking it #15,320 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 144, ranked #24,390, down from #15,320 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Wolverhampton, London parishes and St Austell. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Mendip, Taunton Deane and Mid Sussex.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Kearn is 202 in 1851. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 5.9%.

1881 census count

153

Ranked #15,320

Modern count

144

2016, ranked #24,390

Peak year

1851

202 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Kearn had 153 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #15,320 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 144 in 2016, ranked #24,390.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 202 in 1851.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Rural Amenity.

Kearn surname distribution map

The map shows where the Kearn surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Kearn surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Kearn over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 202 #10,323
1861 historical 141 #16,072
1881 historical 153 #15,320
1891 historical 174 #16,520
1901 historical 166 #17,011
1911 historical 199 #15,016
1997 modern 157 #20,513
1998 modern 151 #21,578
1999 modern 156 #21,290
2000 modern 140 #22,752
2001 modern 137 #22,740
2002 modern 140 #22,876
2003 modern 138 #22,823
2004 modern 135 #23,326
2005 modern 130 #23,848
2006 modern 125 #24,611
2007 modern 132 #24,166
2008 modern 131 #24,583
2009 modern 134 #24,711
2010 modern 137 #24,907
2011 modern 139 #24,507
2012 modern 143 #24,019
2013 modern 143 #24,434
2014 modern 147 #24,177
2015 modern 143 #24,481
2016 modern 144 #24,390

Geography

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Where Kearns are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Wolverhampton, London parishes, St Austell, Liverpool and St Blazey. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Mendip, Taunton Deane, Mid Sussex, Wrexham and Lewes. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Wolverhampton Staffordshire
2 London parishes London 3
3 St Austell Cornwall
4 Liverpool Lancashire
5 St Blazey Cornwall

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Mendip 009 Mendip
2 Taunton Deane 005 Taunton Deane
3 Mid Sussex 001 Mid Sussex
4 Wrexham 004 Wrexham
5 Lewes 007 Lewes

Forenames

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First names often paired with Kearn

These lists show first names that appear often with the Kearn surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Kearn

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Kearn, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Rural Amenity

Nationally, the Kearn surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Rural Amenity, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Kearn household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

This Group comprises older parents or retirees, with no resident dependent children, and with the lowest residential densities in this Supergroup. Predominantly UK-born, residents typically live in detached houses, although others do live in semi-detached and terraced properties. The level of multiple car ownership is the highest in this Supergroup. Most houses are owner occupied although social renting is also present. Many concentrations occur in high amenity rural locations, such as Areas of Outstanding Natural Beauty.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs

Group

Professional Periphery

Within London, Kearn is most associated with areas classed as Professional Periphery, part of Older Residents in Owner-Occupied Suburbs. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These neighbourhoods predominantly house residents aged 45+, with many aged 85+. Most employed residents work in senior roles, and relatively few work in unskilled jobs. Terraced housing is comparatively rare, but communal living is more common. More residents identify as of Indian ethnicity and more affiliate with non-Christian religions. Disability levels are below the Supergroup average.

Wider London pattern

The age distribution of these neighbourhoods is skewed towards the middle-aged and old, although few residents live alone or in communal establishments and numbers of dependent children are around average. Owner occupation is the norm, as is residence in detached or semi-detached houses. Residential densities are low and many households have spare rooms. Most residents were born in the UK and, aside from some identifying as members of Chinese or Indian ethnicities, identify as White. Mixed ethnicity households are rare. Incidence of married couples is higher than average and few individuals have never been married. A large proportion of individuals still in employment work in administrative and secretarial occupations, or in the construction industry. Few residents are students, and many households own more than one car.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Kearn is most concentrated in decile 8 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the healthier end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

8
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Kearn falls in decile 9 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname towards the less deprived end of the index.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

9
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Kearn is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 60-70 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

9
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Kearn, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Kearn

The surname Kearn has its origins in the British Isles, specifically in Ireland and Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic word "cearn," which means "little hill" or "small mountain." This name was likely adopted by someone who lived near a prominent hill or mountain range.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Kearn can be found in the Annals of Ulster, a chronicle of medieval Irish history, where it appears as "Ó Ceirín" in the 13th century. This suggests that the name was already well-established in Ireland by that time.

During the Middle Ages, various spellings of the name were used, such as Kern, Kearns, and Kearney. These variations were often influenced by regional dialects and the preferences of individual scribes.

The name Kearn has been associated with several notable individuals throughout history. One of the earliest was Niall Ó Ceirín (c. 1260-1340), an Irish poet and historian who wrote extensively about the affairs of the O'Neill dynasty in Ulster.

In Scotland, the name Kearn was particularly prevalent in the Highlands region. One notable bearer was Donald Kearn (1695-1778), a Scottish Jacobite who fought alongside Bonnie Prince Charlie in the 1745 uprising against the British crown.

Another significant figure was Sir Edward Kearn (1817-1891), a British military officer who served in the Crimean War and later became a member of the Royal Household.

In the literary world, the Irish-American writer John Kearn (1879-1946) gained recognition for his novels and short stories depicting the lives of Irish immigrants in the United States.

Lastly, the Australian politician John Kearn (1926-2017) served as a member of the Australian House of Representatives for over two decades, representing the Labor Party.

While the surname Kearn may not be as widespread as some others, it has a rich history and has been borne by individuals from various walks of life across several centuries.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Kearn families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Kearn surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 28 Kearns recorded in 1881 and an index of 1.84x.

County Total Index
Middlesex 28 1.84x
Surrey 24 3.24x
Kent 19 3.66x
Lancashire 19 1.05x
Glamorgan 11 4.15x
Cornwall 8 4.64x
Devon 7 2.21x
Hampshire 5 1.60x
Herefordshire 5 8.01x
Montgomeryshire 5 14.34x
Lanarkshire 4 0.81x
Shropshire 4 3.04x
Yorkshire 4 0.27x
Royal Navy 3 16.55x
Essex 2 0.67x
Flintshire 2 4.89x
Sussex 2 0.78x
Ayrshire 1 0.88x
Northumberland 1 0.44x
Staffordshire 1 0.19x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Tenterden in Kent leads with 11 Kearns recorded in 1881 and an index of 601.09x.

Place Total Index
Tenterden 11 601.09x
St Austell 8 135.82x
Eglwysilan 7 152.17x
Hanwell 7 259.26x
Wigan 7 27.74x
Stoke Damerel 6 27.06x
Croydon 5 12.15x
Hackney London 5 5.86x
Worplesdon 5 561.80x
Barony 4 3.21x
Fulham London 4 18.12x
Islington London 4 2.71x
Lambeth 4 3.01x
Liverpool 4 3.65x
Newtown 4 179.37x
Shalford 4 487.80x
Swansea Town 4 18.42x
Tiberton 4 6666.67x
Wollaston 4 2352.94x
East Wickham 3 483.87x
Godalming 3 64.24x
Liss 3 476.19x
Royal Navy 3 19.35x
Whitstable 3 117.65x
Arundel 2 138.89x
Ealing 2 14.71x
East Ham 2 35.91x
Hampstead London 2 8.44x
Haslemere 2 344.83x
Oldham 2 3.43x
Rhuddlan 2 55.56x
Auckinleck 1 28.33x
Bethnal Green London 1 1.51x
Cannock 1 11.16x
Chapel Allerton 1 44.25x
Cheetham 1 7.42x
Cowpen 1 19.19x
Everton 1 1.74x
Garston 1 18.76x
Halewood 1 103.09x
Halifax 1 4.52x
Hereford St Peter 1 59.88x
Hillingdon 1 20.62x
Holdenhurst 1 12.22x
Idle 1 14.31x
Kensington London 1 1.18x
Lee 1 13.26x
Little Bolton 1 4.31x
Montgomery 1 161.29x
Plymouth St Andrew 1 4.10x
Portsea 1 1.64x
Queenborough 1 196.08x
Reigate Foreign 1 12.45x
St Pancras London 1 0.82x
Tanshelf 1 83.33x
Windle 1 9.84x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Kearn surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Elizabeth 8
Mary 7
Ellen 3
Margaret 3
Sarah 3
Alice 2
Ann 2
Caroline 2
Catherine 2
Elizth. 2
Emily 2
Emma 2
Hannah 2
Harriet 2
Jane 2
Kate 2
Ada 1
Agnes 1
Annie 1
Cathe. 1
E.M. 1
Edith 1
Eleanor 1
Elsie 1
Elvira 1
Fanny 1
Florance 1
Florence 1
Frances 1
Gertrude 1
Harriett 1
Julia 1
Louisa 1
Matilda 1
Nellie 1
Rebecca 1
Rosa 1
Rosea 1
Sabina 1
Selina 1
Sophia 1
Sophie 1
Susan 1
Theresa 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Kearn surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
John 12
Thomas 8
William 7
George 6
James 5
Henry 4
Samuel 4
Joseph 3
Charles 2
David 2
Ernest 2
Peter 2
Alan 1
Albert 1
Alfred 1
Arthur 1
Austen 1
Edward 1
Edwd. 1
Elisha 1
Fred 1
Frederick 1
Hy. 1
Jas. 1
Lawrence 1
Mathew 1
Patrick 1
Percy 1
Richard 1
Robert 1
Walter 1
Wm. 1

FAQ

Kearn surname: questions and answers

How common was the Kearn surname in 1881?

In 1881, 153 people were recorded with the Kearn surname. That placed it at #15,320 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Kearn surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 144 in 2016. That gives Kearn a modern rank of #24,390.

What does the Kearn surname mean?

A locational surname originating from places called Cairn or Carn.

What does the Kearn map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Kearn bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.