Carnahan

CARNAHAN

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."


Antrim Co. Tartan	Armagh Co. Tartan	Donegal Co. Tartan

My Carnahan Lineage

Part II These files is approx. 45k all text.

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