The Clan/Sept History

The surname derives from the Gaelic "O Catharnaigh," meaning "warlike."

Spelling variations of this family name include: Carney, Kearney, O'Kearney,
O'Carney and others.
First found in county Meath, where an important Kearney Sept could be found
since ancient times.
Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were:
Bryan Kearney, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1802; Ann Kearney, who arrived in
Philadelphia in 1804; Michael Kearney, who came to New York in 1811; Daniel
Kearney, who came to Philadelphia in 1812.