Kerr is Scottish and northern English in origin, describing a person who lived near overgrown marshland, kerr in Northern Middle English. As might be expected, it is principally found in Ulster, where the majority of those bearing the name are descended from one of the Scottish Border riding clans, whose enforced migration in the seventeenth century also brought large numbers of Armstrongs, Johnstones and others to the province, where they settled, initially at least in Co. Fermanagh. A separate Scottish family of the name is part of the Clan Campbell in Argyllshire. As well as these Scottish origins, however, Kerr (along with Carr) was used as the anglicisation of a number of native Ulster names, including Mac Giolla Chathair and Mac Chiarain (Kerin) in Donegal, O Cairre and Mac Cairre (McCarr) in Co. Armagh, and Mac Giolla Cheara in Co. Monaghan.