In old Records:
Agnes B. Hood: August 24, 1946 stated:
"In 1540 three Irish tribes, Carnochan, Carnighan and Carnathan
united for self-protection and became known are Carnahan. They
lived in the North of Ireland and were seafaring men and very
war-like. They were also known for their large size."
The Dictionary
of Scottish Place Names by Mike Darton states:
(pg 68) "carn cairn'. heap of stones'. humped mountain'
the genitive form is carin." "-Carnach [Harris; Highland (2)}
Presumably Place of Carins (carn-ach) [Carnan-etc]" "-Carnoch
either 1.) Elided form of Cearnach: square', four-sided' or
2.) Plural form of carn, thus cairns'"
The Surnames of
Ireland by Edward MacLysaght states:
(pg 38) "(O) Carnahan- A variant of Kernaghan"
(pg 177) "(O) Kernaghan- O' Cearnachain (Cearnach, victorious). Now mainly
found in Cos. Armagh and Antrim."
More Irish
Families by Edward MacLysaght states:
(pg 223) "(O) Kernaghan Shown in the mediaeval sept-map in Co.
Donegal, this name now belongs to Co. Armagh and also adjacent
parts of Co. Antrim, where it is often spelt Kernohan. Another
variant Carnaghan, formerly much more numerous than at present is
phonetically nearer the orginal Irish O Cearnachain (derived from
cearnach, victorism). (Mac)Kiernan, Kernan In his Ordnance Survery
letters (Co. Cavan) O'Donovan gives a pedigree of this family.
Kernan is a variant. Senator Fancis Kernana, mentioned in Irish
Families should be so spelt. Kernan is also a synonym of
Kernaghan."
Historic
Families (Your Coat of Arms): states:
"The Scottish surname Carnahan is of family origin. Surnames,
also designated as family names, or alternatively a last name were
added to a giver, or baptismal name. This name was in many cases
inherited and held collectively by members of a family group.
Initially surnames identified one by connection to a family member
foremost being the father. In this case the name is ultimately of
Irish origin and is derived from an anglicization of the Irish
Gaelic O'Cearnachain' which means descendant of Cearnachan' The
prefix O' indicates a grandfather or earlier ancestor while the
given name is a diminutive of cearnach' maening victorious.
Also, the surname may be a variant of MacCarnochan. The prefix
Mac' means son of'. Scotland originally known as Caledonia
became known as Scotland during the 11th century. The Normans
reached Scotland as settlers not invaders, soon blending with the
local population. With this assimilation came change in the form
of custonms, and laws the Normans brought with them. One major
change brought about was the introduction to Scotland of the
system of nobility. The earliest recorded references to the
surname Carnahan or a variant appear to be found in Scottish
documents from at least the 13th century when records show that
Gilcrist Mac Karnachan was present when the bounds of the Grange
of Kircwynin were fixed in 1289. Later references include John
Acarnechan of Portinkylle who was a follower of Campbell of Lundy
in 1541. More recently, there were six references to the surname
in Kirkcudbright in the 17th and 18th centuries. Also around this
time, Father Sean Cahir MacCarnaghan was made a Bishop of Cork in
1623AD. The arms described below were granted to the nable
MacKarnaghan of Fife in 1704 AD."
"Blazon of Arms: Ermine, two lions passant in pale gules.
Translation: Ermine is a fur portrayed on the arms as white field
with black markings, it's use is always connected with
the nobility, or royalty.
Crest: A griffin statant gules, wings erect vert.
Motto: Virtute et fide
Translation: By valour and faith
Origin: Scotland"
Irish Names and
Surnames by Rev. Patrick Woulfe states:
(pg. 459) "O Cearnacain-I_ O Kernaghan, O Kernan, Carnahan,
Kernaghan, Kernahan, Kernan, Kernon, &c.; des of Cearnacan' (dim.
Of cearnac, victorious0; the name (I) of a Meath family who were
anciently chiefs of Luighne, now the barony of Lune; and (2) of a
Tirconnell family who were chiefs of Tuath Bladhach, now angl.
Doe, in the barony of Kilmacrenen."
(?)(pg. 689) Clann Chearnaigh, race of Cearnach, (1) a branch of
Maine, g.v.; and (2) a branch of the Oirghialla (qv.) Of which (O
Heizniz?) was chief."
(?) (pg.694) "Ui Cearnaigh, dess. of Cearnach, a branch of the
Dal gCais of which the Ahernes were chiefs."
