KERNANS OF THE CARRICKMACROSS AREA OF CO. MONAGHAN
The original Gaelic form of the name Kernan was Mac Thighearnain, derived from the word "tighearna," which means "lord or master." It seems, from what I have read, the name originated in Co. Cavan. There are many different spellings of the name Kernan. Some include Kiernan, MacKiernan, McKernan, McKernon, McKernin, McKernen, O'Tierney, Tiernan and others. My family seems to have pretty much used the Kernan spelling.
My Kernans were from Co. Monaghan, Ireland. I have traced my individual Kernan family line back to the small townland of Lisnafeddaly, a townland near the town of Carrickmacross. Both Lisnafeddaly and Carrickmacross are located in the southern part of Co. Monaghan, within the civil parish of Magheross. To see where in Ireland Co. Monaghan is located, click here. To see where in Co. Monaghan the civil parish of Magheross is located, click here.
The Catholic parish of Maghaire Rois, a parish within the Catholic diocese of Clogher, is co-extensive with the boundaries of Magheross civil parish. St. Joseph's Catholic Church, is a Catholic Church in the town of Carrickmacross. All of the Catholic Church records I have obtained for my direct Kernan ancestors are from St. Joseph's Catholic Church.
My Co. Monaghan Kernan great, great, great grandparents were a couple named Peter and Catherine (nee McArdle) Kernan.