Surname Keevey - Meaning and Origin

Keevey: What does the surname Keevey mean?

The surname Keevey is of Irish origin and derived from the Gaelic surname "Ó Caoimh", which is derived from the earlier Gaelic form "caomh", meaning “kindly” or “gentle”. It is a popular Irish surname, ranking among the top 700 Irish surnames.

The Keevey surname originated in Ireland, where it was first carried by the Ó Caoimh clans, from whom it is believed to have been taken. The most prominent line of this name descended from Aodh Caomh, the first chief of the Clan Ó Caoimh, who was recognized as one of the original “Twelve Chiefs of Clan Ó Caoimh” in the 12th century. Clan members converted to Christianity and many eventually emigrated to other countries, particularly America.

Keevey is typically spelled without an accent over the “e”, making the pronunciation more like “kee-vey”. In the United States, this name is common in the states of Massachusetts, New York, and Pennsylvania. It is also occasionally used as a given name.

The Keevey surname is a reminder of the Irish ancestry of its families, and the kindness and gentleness of their chief. It may also be seen as a symbolic calling to all members of the Keevey family to be good-natured and carry out their duties with kindness and patience.

Keevey: Where does the name Keevey come from?

The surname Keevey is most commonly found in Ireland today, although there are some members of families with this surname that have since emigrated to other countries. In particular, there appears to be a very high concentration of individuals with the surname Keevey living in the United States, with people of this name found in California, Wisconsin, Illinois, New York and other states.

The prevalence of this surname in Ireland can likely be attributed to the fact that it originated there centuries ago. The name is derived from “Mac Gabhainn,” which is an Irish surname derived from the ancient Gaelic family name “O’Gavaghan.” In Medieval Irish times, it was common for Gaelic names to be Anglicized into simpler terms, and the resulting surname Keevey developed from the Anglicisation of Mac Gabhainn.

According to Ancestry.com and other genealogical resources, the Keevey family first started living in County Cork, Ireland. This is likely due to the fact that the earliest recorded members of the Keevey family were recorded in Cork, and in some areas within the county, the Keevey family were considered to be of noble descent. Over time, members of this family migrated to other parts of Ireland as well as other countries, leading to the spread of the surname throughout the world today.

Variations of the surname Keevey

The surname Keevey is derived from the Irish Gaelic “O Caoimh” or "Mac an Bhreithimh", which translates to “son of the judge". The variants, spellings, and surnames of this origin include Kevy, Kivey, Keeve, Kavvy, Kiefy, Caomh, MacCaffey, MacAffey, MacCavey, Macgaffey, MacGee, McIvey, Kaey, Kivvy, and Caffy.

In Ireland, Keevey is most commonly found in the southern region of Oriel, located in the counties Louth, Monaghan, and Armagh. In the United States, the Keevey surname often resides in Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, Florida, Texas, New Jersey, and Ohio. In 2008, it was size estimated that only 500 individuals held the Keevey surname, most of which were located in the United States.

The most common spelling of Keevey is Kivvy. This variation of the surname is believed to originate from a small town on the border of Scotland and England called Kivey. Originally held by an ancient Viking and Norse family, Kivvy was thought to have been adopted into the Keevey surname until it eventually overtook the original spelling.

Other more rare variations of the Keevey surname can be found throughout the world. Examples include the Dutch Kaey, the French Caffy, or the Portuguese MacGee. No matter the spelling or origin, the core definition associated with the Keevey surname has a consistent meaning throughout history and continues to remain the same: “son of the judge“.

Famous people with the name Keevey

• Colin Keevey: English professional footballer who plays as an attacking midfielder for Southend United in the English Football League.
• Preeya Kalidas: British singer-songwriter, actress, and television presenter of Indian descent.
• Rhys Keevey: Welsh actor best known for playing Angus in S4C's Porth.
• Robert Keevey: British actor best known for his role as Barry in BBC's The Bill.
• Robert Keevey Jr.: American actor and filmmaker known for his work in the horror film, The Possession of Michael King.
• Tim Keevey: British actor best known for playing Howard in the British soap opera Family Affairs.
• Maureen Keevey: Australian actress and voiceover artist best known for her roles in Rush and Neighbours.
• David Keevey: Canadian actor, writer, and director known for his work in the films Deadfall Trail and Thirst.
• Jack Keevey: English actor and musician best known for his roles in the films Playing the Field and The Sea Change.
• William Keevey: British actor of stage and screen, best known for his work in the cult films Chariots of Fire and Local Hero.

Other surnames

KeeveenKeeveney