County Kerry, located in the southwest of Ireland, is a region rich in history, natural beauty, and cultural heritage. For many people of Irish descent around the world, Kerry represents an important link to their ancestral past. This article explores the common County Kerry surnames, its origins, geography, and the development of its principal towns.

Over the last ten years we have taken some of the following photos on our travels – and as we go, we often link to the Irish surnames on our list. So, join us now as we travel around County Kerry sharing lots of pictures, surnames and snippets of history as we go.

County Kerry – Origins and Landscape.

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Kerry, derived from the Old Irish word “Ciarraige” meaning “people of Ciar,” has a history stretching back to ancient times. As you might have guessed, the region was originally home to the Ciarraige people.

Kerry was officially shired (established as a county) in 1606 during the reign of King James I of England. This administrative reorganisation was part of the Tudor conquest of Ireland, which sought to extend English law and governance across the island.

County Kerry is situated in the southwest of Ireland, bordered by Cork to the east and Limerick to the northeast. It’s the fifth-largest of Ireland’s 32 counties by area and the 15th-largest by population. The county is known for its rugged coastline, mountains, and lakes to the west and south of the county including:

• The Lakes of Killarney
• The Dingle Peninsula
• The Ring of Kerry

Dominant Gaelic and Norman Families

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Up until the 17th century, Kerry was dominated by a few powerful Gaelic and Norman families. They were:

1. The MacCarthy Mór: A Gaelic dynasty that ruled much of South Kerry.
2. The O’Sullivan Beare: Another significant Gaelic clan in the Beara peninsula.
3. The Fitzmaurices: A Norman family who became Earls of Kerry.
4. The Fitzgeralds: Norman descendants who became the Knights of Kerry and the Knights of Glin.

These families played crucial roles in shaping the political and social landscape of Kerry until the Cromwellian conquest in the 1650s significantly altered the power structures. I include more on the main County Kerry surnames further down below.

Major Market Towns

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From the 1700s onwards, several towns in Kerry served as important market centres, each with its own specialties:

• Tralee: Tralee is the county town of Kerry and served as a major market centre for agricultural produce and livestock. The town also developed as an important administrative and commercial hub.
• Killarney: Killarney became known for its natural beauty and developed as a significant tourist destination. The town also had markets for agricultural produce and livestock.
• Listowel: Listowel developed as a market town with a focus on agricultural trading and milling. The town hosted regular markets and fairs, supporting the local economy.
• Dingle: Dingle was historically known for its fishing industry. The town also served as a market center for the surrounding agricultural areas and developed a tourism industry due to its scenic coastal location.
• Cahersiveen: Cahersiveen served as a market town for the surrounding rural areas, with a strong emphasis on fishing and agricultural trading. The town hosted regular markets and fairs.
• Kenmare: Kenmare developed as a market town with a focus on agricultural trading. The town also became a popular tourist destination due to its scenic location.
• Milltown: Milltown served as a local market town with a focus on agricultural trading. The town hosted regular markets and fairs, supporting the rural economy.
• Killorglin: Killorglin was known for its agricultural markets and fairs, including the famous Puck Fair. The town also benefited from tourism due to its scenic surroundings.
• Castleisland: Castleisland developed as a market town with a strong emphasis on agricultural trading and milling. The town hosted regular markets and fairs, making it a key centre for local farmers.

Each of these towns played a crucial role in the economic and social life of 18th an 19th century Kerry, serving as hubs for trade, craft, and community gatherings.

County Kerry Surnames

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The following list represents the most numerous County Kerry surnames, based on the 1901 census. These names reflect a mixture of Gaelic, Norman, and English heritage in the county:

Ahern, Barrett, Barry, Bowler, Breen, Brennan, Brosnan, Browne, Buckley, Cahill, Callaghan, Carmody, Carroll, Casey, Clifford, Coffey, Collins, Connell, Connor, Courtney, Cronin, Crowley, Curran, Curtin, Daly, Dillon, Donoghue, Dowd,

Doyle, Driscoll, Enright, Fitzgerald, Flaherty, Fleming, Flynn, Foley, Galvin, Gallivan, Griffin, Harrington, Hayes, Healy, Herlihy, Hickey, Horan, Horgan, Houlihan, Keane, Keating, Kelliher, Kelly, Kennedy, Kennelly, King, Kissane, Lawlor,

Leahy, Leary, Lynch, Lyons, Lyne, Mahoney, Mahony, McCarthy, McElligott, McKenna, McMahon, Moore, Moran, Moriarty, Moynihan, Mulvihill, Murphy, Nolan, O’Brien, O’Connell, O’Connor, O’Donnell, O’Leary, O’Neill, O’Shea,

O’Sullivan, Reidy, Regan, Riordan, Roche, Scanlon, Shea, Sheehan, Sheehy, Slattery, Spillane, Stack, Sugrue, Sweeney, Walsh

Many of these County Kerry surnames have deep roots in its history, with some tracing back to the ancient Gaelic clans and others to Norman or English settlers. Are any of your Irish ancestral names on this list?

Population Changes and the Great Famine.

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The population of County Kerry has witnessed dramatic fluctuations over the centuries, with the Great Famine of 1845-1852 leaving an indelible mark on its demographic landscape. In the early 1600s, Kerry’s population was relatively small, estimated at around 25,000 to 30,000 people. However, by the turn of the 19th century, it had grown significantly to approximately 140,000.

The pre-Famine years saw a population boom, with Kerry reaching its peak of 293,880 in 1841. This growth, however, was sharply reversed by the devastating impact of the Great Famine. The population figures tell a stark story of decline:

• 1841 census: 293,880 (peak pre-Famine population)
• 1901 census: 165,726
• 2002 census: 132,527 (marking the beginning of modern growth)

The Great Famine had a profound and lasting impact on Kerry. Between 1841 and 1851, the county lost nearly 19% of its population to death and emigration. The ports of Tralee and Dingle saw countless departures as masses of people fled to North America in search of a better life.

The Famine also brought about significant changes in Kerry’s agricultural landscape. Many smaller farms were consolidated into larger holdings, and there was a shift away from potato cultivation towards more livestock farming. This transformation of rural Kerry had long-lasting effects on the county’s economy and social structure.

The Famine also accelerated the decline of the Irish language in Kerry, as many Irish speakers either perished or emigrated. The legacy of the Famine is deeply ingrained in Kerry’s cultural memory, influencing local folklore, literature, and historical narratives. It also contributed to land agitation movements in the county during the late 19th century, as people sought to address long-standing issues of land ownership and tenancy.

Conclusion.

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County Kerry’s rich tapestry of history, geography, and culture is reflected in its diverse surnames and the development of its towns. From the ancient Gaelic clans to the Norman invaders, and through centuries of social and economic change, Kerry has maintained a unique identity that continues to resonate with people of Irish descent around the world. Whether your ancestors hailed from the bustling markets of Tralee or the quiet fishing villages of the Dingle Peninsula, Kerry’s history and heritage offers a fascinating window into Ireland’s past and present.

How about you? Did any of your Irish ancestors come from beautiful County Kerry? I hope you enjoyed this brief tour of County Kerry Surnames and Places.

Slán for now,

Mike and Carina.

P.S. If you want to go deeper and learn more about your County Kerry surnames and ancestors then check out The Green Room.