This page needs Javascript enabled in order to work properly. Click here for instructions on how to enable it in your browser.
Surname Header Image
Get access to Kerness family records.Start a 14-Day Free Trial

Kerness Family History

Kerness Surname Meaning

Historically, surnames evolved as a way to sort people into groups - by occupation, place of origin, clan affiliation, patronage, parentage, adoption, and even physical characteristics (like red hair). Many of the modern surnames in the dictionary can be traced back to Britain and Ireland.


Similar surnames: Kernes, Furness, Kress, Ernest, Kerner, Kernell, Harness, Garness

Search for a relative to learn more about your family history.

Hint: Try searching for a relative alive in 1940.

Where is the Kerness family from?

You can see how Kerness families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Kerness family name was found in the USA, the UK, and Scotland between 1841 and 1920. The most Kerness families were found in USA in 1920. In 1841 there were 13 Kerness families living in Perthshire. This was about 76% of all the recorded Kerness's in Scotland. Perthshire had the highest population of Kerness families in 1841.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Kerness surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
Mapbox
© Mapbox © OpenStreetMap Improve this map

What did your Kerness ancestors do for a living?

In 1940, Machinist was the top reported job for people in the USA named Kerness. 34% of Kerness men worked as a Machinist.

View Census Data for Kerness | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

United States shown, Canada data unavailable

Top Male Occupations In 1940

  • Machinist
    34%
  • Iron Worker
    34%
  • Salesman
    34%

What Kerness family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 750 census records available for the last name Kerness. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Kerness census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search Canadian census records for Kerness

Passenger Lists

There are 85 immigration records available for the last name Kerness. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in Canada, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Kerness immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 58 military records available for the last name Kerness. For the veterans among your Kerness ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Kerness military records

You've only scratched the surface of Kerness family history

Discover More

What is the average Kerness lifespan?

Between 1967 and 2004, in the United States, Kerness life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1968, and highest in 1997. The average life expectancy for Kerness in 1967 was 66, and 88 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Kerness

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Kerness ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Kerness family tree

Explore Your Tree
Search for another surname
Enter last name/surname
Start a 14-Day Free Trial