Surname Keevane - Meaning and Origin

Keevane: What does the surname Keevane mean?

Keevane is an Irish surname, originating from County Donegal. It is believed to have derived from "Caoimhain" or "Kevan", which is a variation of the old Irish form "Caemgen". The surname is derived from the Irish name "Caoimhghin", which is composed of two elements: "caomh" meaning gentle or comely and "Gein" meaning birth or family.

Keevane is generally thought to indicate someone of nobility or status in Irish culture, as the patronymic surnames derived from old Irish names were usually reserved for the ruling class. Suitable for the head of a sept, family or clan,acht, the name quickly spread throughout Ireland, and by the mid 19th century was common in Ireland and Scotland.

Others believe that the surname originated from the ancient Celtic word ‘ Kelvin’, which means ‘large chief’ or ‘lord’, indicating an individual with a high ranking position. It can also be linked to the Gaelic word ‘Mac Giolla Caoimhghin’ which translates as ‘son of the kindly lad’.

Today, Keevane is most commonly found in the United States along with the United Kingdom. As well as being a surname, it is also used as a given name, particularly among Irish Catholics.

Keevane: Where does the name Keevane come from?

The last name Keevane is a rare surname in the English speaking world. Comparing the 2000 United States Census to the 2019 United States Census shows that the number of people with the last name Keevane has decreased from 67 in 2000 to 44 in 2019.

The last name Keevane is most frequently associated with people of Irish descent. Its spelling is an anglicized version of the Irish surnames Ó Caoimhín or Ó Cíobháin, meaning descendant of Caomhán and Cíobhán respectively.

Today, the Keevane surname is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in California and New York. A significant population is also based in Ireland, particularly in Galway, Mayo, and Clare. The vast majority of Irish Keevanes are based in counties Mayo and Galway.

Other countries where Keevane is found include Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina, and France. Individuals bearing the name live in various parts of the world, including Europe, North America, and South America.

Overall, the Keevane surname is uncommon and individuals bearing the name have, for the most part, originated in Ireland. It is found more frequently in the United States and in other countries opt in small numbers than in Ireland.

Variations of the surname Keevane

Keevane is a rare and uncommon Irish surname. It is derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Eibhín which means 'son of Eibhín'. The variants of Keevane include- MacEevin, McEeveen, MacEevans, MacEwan, MacEvans, MacEvans, MacIvane,McEevon, McEveen, Kivane, McEevey, Keeveen, Keevean, and Keeveane.

This surname is most commonly found in County Clare and is usually spelled as Keevane or MacIvan. Variants of the surname are also found in the USA and in Great Britain.

The surname Keevane is also spelled in various forms such as- Keaven, Keavene, Kevan, Kavane, Kivaen, Kivane, Kivain, Kivien, Kivane, and Kivvyen.

There is the distinct possibility that the surnames Keevane and MacEvin may be related. The MacEvin surname is also found in County Clare and the spelling is the same as the Irish language spelling of root word 'Eibhín'.

In addition, several variants of this surname are found in Scotland, such as MacEwan, MacEvans, and MacEveon.

The surname Keevane is unique and it's a beautiful piece of family history. It is unbroken and still has many variants worldwide. It is believed that there are no other surnames of similar history and origin that also carry the name Keevane. It was used as a patronymic, as is common in Gaelic surnames, and often passed down through the generations.

Famous people with the name Keevane

• Ronan Keevane: is an Irish actor, known for his roles in the 2011 TV series The Fall, The Tudors, and the films Byzantium and Testament of Youth.
• Brian Keevane: an American film editor, known for his extensive work on the films The Lord of the Rings, The Hobbit, The Matrix, and Speed.
• Seamus Keevane: an Irish fashion photographer, known for his work with major fashion labels like H&M and Topshop.
• Hugh Keevane: an American volleyball player, who represented the USA at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
• Diarmuid Keevane: an Irish Rugby Union player. He currently plays for London Irish and has represented the national team on several occasions.
• Niall Keevane: an Irish comedian and actor, best known for his roles in the comedy show Father Ted and the award-winning movie In Bruges.
• Pat Keevane: a British racing driver, who has competed in a range of events including NASCAR this season.
• James Keevane: an Irish singer-songwriter, who recently rose to fame after the release of his debut album, 'Dream Big'.
• Marcus Keevane: an American basketball player, currently playing for the Sacramento Kings in the NBA.
• Moira Keevane: an Irish sculptor and installation artist, known for her work in exploring the relationships between the female body and nature.

Other surnames

Keevan