The Clan/Sept History

All Irish surnames have a distinct meaning. The meaning behind the name O Kieran
begins when the name originally appeared in Gaelic as O Ciarain or Mac Ciarain.
These names are derived from the word "ciar," which means "black" or "dark
brown."

Those scribes in Ireland during the Middle Ages recorded names as they sounded
simply because their bearers were illiterate. Consequently, in this era many
people were recorded under different spellings each time their name was written
Down. Research on the O Kieran family name revealed numerous spelling
variations, including Kieran, O'Kieran, Keiran, Keighran, O'Keiran, Kerin and
many more.
First found in county Mayo, where they held a family seat from ancient times.
Thousands of Irish Families left for North American shores in the 19th century.
These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and
racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many
others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in
which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American
shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and
the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has
disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name O Kieran: James, Patrick
and Thomas, who Keiran arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860; John and
Thomas Kieran settled in Philadelphia between 1858 and 1868. In Newfoundland,
William Kearon, from Tallon, Waterford county, Ireland, was married in St.
John's in 1801.

Motto Translated: Stand firm on trust.