Surname Keirs; where does it originate from?

Question

i intend to begin researching into my family history, and was wondering if anybody had any usual information on how to begin?

also, i'm interested to know where my surname "Keirs" came from, and if there are many who share it.

thank you for your time.

Answer 1

Hey Clotted Head,

Swyrich.com says:

Keirs

Origin: Scottish

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kerr, Car, Carr, Ker, Cearr (Gaelic) and many more.

First found in Lancashire where they were seated from very early times and were granted lands by Duke William of Normandy, their liege Lord, for their distinguished assistance at the Battle of Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: William Ker, who settled in New Hampshire in 1718; David Kerr arrived in Jamaica in 1775; John Carr settled in Virginia in 1716; Alexander, Andrew, Edward, Frank, Henry, Horace, Hugh, James, John, Joseph, Mathew, Robert, Samuel, Thomas and William Kerr, all arrived in Philadelphia between 1800 and 1860.

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and the Family Search site with 106 entries backs this up.

Answer 2

it's most common in england (ie: keirsley, keirsland, kearse, keirsey), so i would think it is of anglo-saxon origin, since it doesn't look or sound celtic or norman.

Answer 3

I dont know whether this link will help you any.http://www.ancestry.com/learn/facts/Fact.aspx?