Kerr
A Scottish and English toponymic surname derived from the Old Norse word "kjarr," meaning "wet ground" or "marsh."
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 51,962 Americans carry the last name Kerr. That puts it at #771 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 15.16 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 6,596 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Kerr surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
52K
1 in 6,596
Census rank
#771
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
15.2
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
45K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 44,711 bearers of the surname Kerr in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 15.16 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 771st position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Kerr, the largest self-reported group is White at 86.9%. The next largest groups are Black (7.5%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Kerr
The surname Kerr originated in Scotland and has been a Scottish name since medieval times. It is derived from the Gaelic word 'ciar' which means 'dark brown' or 'dusky'. This referred to the hair or complexion of the original bearer. The name was initially a descriptive nickname used to distinguish between individuals of the same given name.
The earliest known record of the name dates back to the late 12th century in the Scottish Borders region. A person named Richard Ker was noted in the Ragman Rolls of 1296, which documented those who swore allegiance to King Edward I of England after his invasion of Scotland. The name was also recorded as Kerre, Chere, and Cheyres during this period.
In the 14th century, the Kerrs became a prominent family in the Scottish Borders, holding lands and properties in the areas of Roxburghshire, Berwickshire, and Selkirkshire. They gained influence and power, with several members serving as wardens and governors of the Borders region.
One notable figure from this family was Sir Andrew Ker of Cessford, who lived from around 1470 to 1526. He was a powerful Border chief and played a significant role in the conflicts between Scotland and England during that time.
Another famous bearer of the name was Robert Ker, 1st Earl of Roxburghe, who lived from 1570 to 1650. He was a Scottish nobleman and served as Lord Privy Seal of Scotland under King James VI.
In the 17th century, the Kerrs established themselves as a prominent clan in Scotland, with their main seat at Ferniehirst Castle in Roxburghshire. The clan was known for their bravery and loyalty to the Scottish crown.
During the 18th century, the name Kerr spread beyond Scotland as members of the clan migrated to other parts of the British Isles and beyond. One notable figure from this period was John Kerr, 7th Marquess of Lothian, who lived from 1737 to 1815 and served as a British diplomat and politician.
Over time, the name Kerr has been associated with various places and landmarks, such as Kerr County in Texas, named after James Kerr, a Scottish immigrant who settled in the area in the 19th century.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Kerr
Among Census respondents with the surname Kerr, the largest self-reported group is White at 86.9%. The next largest groups are Black (7.5%) and Hispanic (2.4%).
The bar chart below shows how Kerr bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Kerr surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White86.9%
- Black or African American7.5%
- Hispanic or Latino2.4%
- Two or more races1.8%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.8%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.6%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Kerr surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #771 | #771 | 0.0% |
| Count | 44,711 | 44,711 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 15.16 | 15.16 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Kerr bearers went from 44,711 to 44,711 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #771 to #771.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Kerr
FAQ
Kerr surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Kerr?
The surname Kerr holds position #771 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 51,962 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 15.16 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Kerr surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Kerr, the largest self-reported group is White at 86.9%. The next largest groups are Black (7.5%) and Hispanic (2.4%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.