Surname Keast - Meaning and Origin

Keast: What does the surname Keast mean?

The surname Keast is of Anglo-Saxon origin, specifically from Cornwall in South West England. The name is topographical in origin, referring to "dweller by the eastern enclosure or eastern homestead", derived from the Old English pre 7th Century word "east". The "k" may have been added for easier pronunciation. It could have been used for someone who lived in the eastern part of a town or parish, or in a settlement to the east of the main village. Like many surnames, it probably started being used for functional reasons, to differentiate between people living in different locations or with the same first name. The distribution of the Keast surname today still predominantly in Cornwall and Devon, supporting its regional origin. It is also found in small numbers in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and the United States, likely due to emigration in the 18th and 19th centuries.

Keast: Where does the name Keast come from?

The surname Keast is of English origin, specifically from the South West region, particularly the county of Cornwall. The name is thought to derive from the Old Cornish word "Coes" or "Coest", which mean wood. It's supposed to have been used as a topographical name for people who lived in or near a wood.

The Great Migration, which saw the movement of many people from Europe to North America from the 17th to 20th centuries, led to the surname Keast becoming relatively well-established in the United States and Canada.

Presently, the surname is still most common in South West England, specifically around the areas of Cornwall and Devon. However, it can also be found in countries like the United States, Australia, and Canada where English immigrants settled. Despite its dispersion, Keast remains a relatively rare surname worldwide. In Australia, for instance, it ranks as the 5,264th most common surname.

Variations of the surname Keast

The surname Keast primarily originated from Cornwall, England. Variants and alternative spellings of the surname Keast may include Keist, Kest, Keeste, keyst, and Kyste. The surname could also have possible regional variations based on usage, pronunciation or even translation is other countries.

However, despite these variations, the surname Keast is quite unique so there aren’t many surnames of the same origin due to its uniqueness. Similar sounding Cornish surnames include Hearst, Hurst, East and Quest. However, these should not be mistaken as variations as they have different origins and meanings.

The complexities of researching surnames can be due to multiple factors including anglicization of non-English names, changes in spelling over centuries, and migration influencing surname changes. Furthermore, the usage of patronymics, metronomics, and the adoption of place names or occupational names as surnames also plays a role.

It should be noted that online databases and genealogical research can offer more personalized and in-depth information regarding the variations and history of the surname Keast.

Famous people with the name Keast

• William Keast: British soldier who served during WW2 and was awarded the Victoria Cross.
• Phil Keast: Australian broadcaster and radio presenter
• Kate Keast: Australian politician and member of the Australian Labor Party
• William Keast Porter: Australian painter
• John Keast: English cricketer
• Tony Keast: English footballer
• Kerry Keast: Australian actress
• Arthur Keast: English cyclist and gold medalist in 1936 Summer Olympics
• Weatherly Keast: Canadian politician
• James Keast: Canadian lawyer and former Ontario Provincial politician.
• Jonathan Keast: Canadian YouTube personality
• Harold Keast: American meteorologist and pioneer in the field of weather forecasting.
• Coe Finch Keast: Canadian composer, pianist, and organist
• Francis Keast: Canadian Catholic priest and former honorary chaplain to the Governor of Quebec
• Doug Keast: Canadian musician and business executive
• Shawn Keast: American screenwriter and producer
• Frank Keast: Canadian engineer and businessman
• Harry Keast: British trade unionist
• Jodi Keast: Canadian wellness coach, author and motivational speaker
• Mark Keast: British actor and producer

Other surnames

Keasler