Surname Keaghoe - Meaning and Origin
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Keaghoe: What does the surname Keaghoe mean?
The surname Keaghoe is an anglicized form of the Irish name Ó Céidigh. The Irish name is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Ceiteag, which is a patronymic surname derived from the first name Ceiteag. This first name is believed to be derived from the Old Irish word 'cét', meaning piece or part, as well as 'ceathar', meaning four.
The Irish surname is the name of a powerful old family who are believed to have descended from tenth century king Brian Boru. It is also possible that the surname originated in courtyard of the king, whose name was similarly Ó Céidigh.
The surname is thought to have emerged in various parts of Ireland, although it is most commonly found today in counties Tipperary, Kerry, Galway and Offaly. As such, the Keaghoe surname has a strong association with the ancient Celtic Midlands.
The meaning of the surname Keaghoe can be translated as "descendant of Ceiteag". While the name Ceiteag has been linked to the Irish words for four, piece, or part, it can widely be attributed to strength and unity, and linked to the power of the ancient Celtic Kings.
Order DNA origin analysisKeaghoe: Where does the name Keaghoe come from?
The last name Keaghoe is primarily an Irish surname. It is of Norman origin, first appearing in Ireland in the 1300s. The name is derived from the Gaelic form of the name ‘Caoigh’, which can mean ‘brave’, ‘exalted’, or ‘one who has a pleasant voice.’
Today, the last name Keaghoe is still common throughout Ireland. It is particularly common in the counties of Monaghan and Louth. It is also found in other parts of the country, and is even found in Australia where it is often spelled ‘Keogh’.
In the United States, Keaghoe is a relatively rare surname. It is not as frequently seen in US Census records as it has been in the past, likely due to the fact that many people with the surname have Irish roots or have since adopted another last name.
Nevertheless, the Keaghoe surname is still alive and well in Ireland, and there is a good chance that many of those of Irish descent abroad still carry it. To this day, Keaghoe remains an important part of Irish culture and heritage.
Variations of the surname Keaghoe
The surname Keaghoe is a variation of the Irish Gaelic name O'Cadhla, which is derived from the Irish god of love and beauty, Cathal. Spellings of the surname in modern times may also include Keeghoe, O'Keeghoe, Kadhla, Kaghoe, O'Cahe, Keohoe, and Cahe.
The forms of this name present in the early Irish records are typically in the Irish Gaelic form, such as Ó Cadhla. This was often Anglicised to form the surnames O'Keaghoe, Keeghoe, O'Keeghoe, or Kaghoe. It also may have been shortened to Ki or Keo.
The modern spellings of the surname are thought to have originated in the Galway region, where the Ó Cadhla family existed as part of the wider family of O'Kellys, which was one of the 'Tribes of Galway'. In County Louth, the name may have been sparsely distributed in the northwest of the county, mostly in Dundalk.
In some cases, the Keaghoe surname may have been shortened further to Kehoe. It is also thought to have occasionally been shortened to Keogh. Forms of the surname have also been altered to Kaighoe, indicating an Irish origin.
Overall, there are many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the Keaghoe surname. The most commonly seen variants are Keeghoe, O’Keeghoe, Kadhla, Kaghoe, O’Cahe, Keohoe, and Cahe. The origin of the surname is clear, and it can be seen that the name has spread widely in modern time through different adaptations.
Famous people with the name Keaghoe
- Miah Keaghoe: Professional boxer and two-time Irish Elite champion.
- Patricia Keaghoe: American television actress and writer.
- Siobhan Keaghoe: Irish journalist and radio presenter.
- Cormac Keaghoe:Irish musician and folk singer.
- Edwina Keaghoe: Award-winning Irish novelist.
- Patrick Keaghoe: Former manager and owner of an Irish medical services company.
- Catherine Keaghoe: Irish artist and sculptor.
- Aisling Keaghoe: Irish-born actress and voice artist.
- Seamus Keaghoe: Gentleman's hairstylist in Dublin.
- John Keaghoe: Professional cyclist and former Olympic rider from Ireland.