This very interesting name is of Medieval German origin and denotes a person who opertates a hand mill for milling corn. The name derives from the word 'quirn' or the Anglo - Saxon 'Cweorn' meaning 'corn', and as such was surpassed by the word 'muhle' (later mill) which means 'to drive'. The name as Kurner, Kirner or the anglicization Curner, may also be locational for one who lived at the town of Kurn in Bavaria, or topographical for residence by or at a Granary. The name has long been in England, Frances Curner being recorded as marrying Nicholas Roberts on the 21st of April 1684 at St. James Clerkenwell, London. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of James Kerner which was dated 1680, baptised at St. Sepulchre, London. during the reign of King Charles II the Merry Monarch. 1660 - 1685 Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.