View Message

http://www.houseofnames.com/xq/asp.familycrest_details/s.Kearse/Kearse_family_Crest/Kearse_coat_of_arms/qx/Kearse.htm

The above link says it's English and the spelling variations are Kearsey, Kercey and others. This could be very useful for the search to the origin.

http://www.genealogysurnames.com/pages/Detailed/12354.html

Another link with two possible explanations.

[...There are still many KIERCE families living in Ireland. The name is sometimes spelled KIERSE or KEARSE, and is mostly found in Co. Clare. The Gaelic version is O'CIERSIC and is commonly known in Co. Kerry as KERRISK. It has also been anglicized as HEALY. The earlist known ancestor is a MacFARIAS....]

The same person as the second link, this time with more detailed information. The link is: http://www.rootsweb.com/~fianna/surname/sur11.html

Meaning of the name Ferris:
A corruption of Ferrers (which see). Fferis, in the Welsh, signifies steel

And according to the following link, the name Ferris means 'rock, iron', which has the same quality as steel:
http://www.bubbaboo.com/meaning-of-baby-names.asp?n=Ferris

That's all I could find.