About us
Meaning
Most evidence points to the name being a topographic surname: someone who lives at the foot of a hill or in a valley, combined with the old English "cyrr" for a bend in a river or road, or the Norse "kerr" or "kjarr" for a scrubby/marshy place.
Origins
There have been a number of studies and even a handful of books on the Kerfoot name or its variations. Most evidence points to origins in the Lancashire and Cheshire area of England and/or Ireland. In both areas, Kerfoot populations are present beyond the time periods where paper methods of genealogical research become much more difficult. This is where a DNA project has the potential to reveal exciting discoveries. Family groups from both England and Ireland have now spread to disparate parts of the world - but were the English and Irish populations related?
One suggestion for the origin is a small hamlet - no more than a few farm buildings at a country crossroads - near Bilsborrow north of Preston in Lancashire called Carefoot. Showing this to be the origin of the Kerfoot name is ever so unlikely, but it is a hypothesis nevertheless. You may have your own theories on the origin. Let's explore them!
Variants
In early times when levels of literacy were low, those making the records would, in the absence of a precedent to copy, write a name phonetically - as they heard it. Thus, there were a variety of spellings of the same name. In time, literacy, communications and travel improved and together with more printed material, the variations have distilled into just a few. The line between a misspelling and a variant is for debate, but one's name is one's identity - a very precious and personal thing. Kerfoots are welcome here however you spell it.
Some of the variants and misspellings are - with the most common and enduring ones in bold: Carefoot/Carfoot, Corfoot, Karfoot, Kearfoot, Keirfoot, Kerfut, Kerfott, Kirfoot. There are plenty of others. Let us know if you think one should be included here.
Current Research
If you're reading this, then this is probably talking about you! You probably have your own family tree containing Kerfoots so the current research is yours. This is the opportunity for us to collectively add to that knowledge base.
An ever-increasing number of Kerfoots are part of a one-name study. It, like the Kerfoots, is gradually reaching further across the world. You can learn more at the Guild of One-Name Studies website and the Kerfoot one-name study website.
Further Reading
- Kerfoot, Kearfott, and allied families in America : Robert R. Kearfott, 1948. This book is available online in various places including FamilySearch and Ancestry.
- A Kerfoot history - Canadian branch : J.M. Morris, 1953. This book is available as reference material in some Canadian libraries.
- The Kerfoots of Lancashire and North Wales: R. Glyn Davies, 1995. This spiral bound book was published privately by the author who sadly died in 1997. Copies were distributed to contributors, family and friends.
Next Steps
You'll notice that this is a new DNA project with a relatively small membership as yet. So, be prepared for an enthusiastic welcome when you join!