Surname Ker - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Ker: What does the surname Ker mean?
The surname Ker is of Scottish origin and was first found in East Lothian, where the family held a seat from very ancient times, some say before the Norman conquest in 1066 AD. The name Ker is believed to be derived from the Old Norse word "kjarr" which means "marsh dweller". This indicates that the family likely lived in marshy or wetland areas originally. Hence, the surname Ker may be associated with those who occupied or owned marshlands. Like most surnames, the name may have been adopted or changed over time by various branches of the same family and may have different meanings in different countries. However, in general, it is associated with Scottish ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisKer: Where does the name Ker come from?
The surname Ker is of Scottish origin, derived from a place name, Kerr in Roxburghshire, Scotland. The name was originally pronounced Kerr, with a rolled "r" that sounded like "Ker." The Ker family was famous border reivers, an armored raiding party in the lawless Anglo-Scottish border region during the late 13th to early 17th century. So the name is particularly associated with the Borders region of Scotland.
The surname Ker spread across Scotland and Northern England and descendants migrated to countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand during the 18th, 19th, and 20th centuries. Many bearers of the Ker surname can trace their ancestry back to the Significant border Clan Kerr. The Clan's lineage is traced back to the 12th century in Scotland and the name is fairly common in Scotland, England, and Northern Ireland today. Outside the UK, it may exist, though less commonly, in former British colonies and other English-speaking nations.
Variations of the surname Ker
The surname Ker is of Scottish origin and it has several variations, spellings, and related surnames derived from both cultural translations and phonetic transcriptions. It's noteworthy that the surname evolved over time and often adapted to suit different languages.
Variants of Ker include Kerr, Carr, Karr, and Kerre. It is also worth mentioning that in Scotland, the surname was often pronounced like "Carr," and hence we see a similarity in these variations.
There are also derivations like Kerfoot, Kirkerr, and Kerrison that stem from the base surname. Being around borders, similar surnames can also be observed in English such as Car, Care, Curr, and Curre which might have been influenced by Scottish settlers.
In regions with different languages like France and Germany, similar surnames manifest as Kerre, Kerres, Kerer, Kehr, and Kehrere. One should consider that variations can be attributed to ethnic, regional, and cultural differences. As surnames were often spelled phonetically in old records, their current form may not match the original form. These surnames and their variations have been historically used interchangeably throughout generations.
Famous people with the name Ker
- Sarah Ker: She is a well-known interior designer based in London.
- Geoff Ker: He is a renowned Canadian actor known for his work in "The Core" (2003), "Andre" (1994) and "Mindstorm" (2001).
- Robert Ker: A famous Scottish politician who served as the Member of Parliament for Ayr from 1964 to 1979.
- JK Ker: Known as J.K., he is a Chinese author well known for his fictional works.
- Pat Ker: The renowned New Zealand rugby league footballer who played as a prop, second-row and loose forward for the Canterbury provincial team and represented New Zealand at international level.
- Steve Ker: He is a former English professional rugby league footballer.
- Rose Ker: A popular novelist from the early 20th century.
- Ian Ker: An Oxford-based academic, biographer and literary critic renowned for his studies on John Henry Newman. Please note that the last name "Ker" is not very common, and as a result, there are not many widely recognized or significantly famous people with this last name.