Save Type Surname (from given name) Usage Irish Pronounced Pron. KU-wən(British English) KUR-wən(American English) [key·IPA] Other Forms FormsKerwin Meaning & History From Gaelic Ó Ciardhubháin meaning "descendant of Ciardhubhán", a given name composed of the elements ciar "dark" and dubh "black" combined with a diminutive suffix.