Surname Keogh - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Keogh: What does the surname Keogh mean?
The last name Keogh is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic “Mac Eochaidh” which means "son of Eochaidh." The word "Eochaidh" itself translates to "horse rider" or "horseman" in English. This surname started as a patronymic name before becoming a family name used by descendants. Keogh families are found predominantly in the Irish counties of Wicklow and Dublin. Variations of the Keogh surname include MacKeogh, Kehoe, Hoey, Hoy, Hoe, and many others due to translations between Gaelic and English. Despite its widespread variations and use across Ireland, it remains less common elsewhere. The Keogh surname has a rich history dating back centuries with numerous notable individuals including writers, politicians, and athletes. The coat of arms for the Keogh family features a silver shield, signifying peace and sincerity, and three red crescents, symbolizing victory over Turks in the Crusades, suggesting that ancestors of the Keogh family may have been crusaders. The motto of the Keogh family is "Semper patriae servire presto", which translates to "Always ready to serve my country".
Order DNA origin analysisKeogh: Where does the name Keogh come from?
The surname Keogh is of Irish origin and derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Eochaidh," which means "son of Eochaidh." Eochaidh is a personal name derived from each, an old Irish Gaelic word which means "horse." Therefore, Keogh essentially translates to "son of the horseman."
Throughout history, the name has been anglicized in various forms including MacKeogh, Kehoe, Hoey and Hoy. Traditionally, the family clan was concentrated in the Leinster province, particularly in counties Wicklow and Carlow.
The Keogh family has a history of warriors, from the Middle Ages through to the First World War, the most notable perhaps being Colonel Myles Keogh who fought in the American Civil War.
Today, the surname Keogh, in all its various spellings, is quite common throughout Ireland. It's also found in countries where the Irish have emigrated over the centuries, specifically in the United States, Canada, the UK, Australia, and New Zealand. However, the highest concentration remains in Ireland, particularly around its original heartlands.
Variations of the surname Keogh
The surname Keogh is of Irish origin and has several alternative spellings, including Keog, Keogan, Keoghan, and MacKeogh. It originates from the Gaelic "Mac Eochaidh" which translates as 'son of Eochaidh', a personal name meaning 'horse rider'. The surname has been Anglicised in various forms due to the complexities of phonetic translations from the original Gaelic.
In some instances, the name Eochaidh has been replaced by its phonetic equivalent 'Keogh' or 'Kehoe'. These variations are more commonly found in south-eastern Ireland, specifically County Wexford.
Other surname derivatives include MacKeough, McKeogh, and McKeough, with 'Mac' or 'Mc' prefix meaning 'son of'. These are common variations in northern Ireland.
In the United States, due to further Anglicisation, it's not uncommon to find the spelling of Keogh altered to Keog, Keoge, Keouge or even Kehoo and Kehough. It's essential to note that although these names sound similar, the spelling changes could reflect regional dialects, personal preference, or even registration errors.
Overall, while Keogh is the most universally recognised form, it is just one of many variations of this ancient Gaelic surname.
Famous people with the name Keogh
- Martin Keogh: An esteemed author and teacher, well-known for his workshops on interpersonal communication and conflict resolution.
- Evelyn Keogh: This writer and poet is renowned in literary circles for her captivating works and is particularly well-known in her native Ireland.
- Paul Keogh QC: A leading barrister in the UK who specializes in planning and environmental law.
- Richard Keogh: A professional footballer hailing from the Republic of Ireland; he has represented his country internationally and has played in several English football clubs.
- Mick Keogh: He is the Executive Director of the Australian Farm Institute and a highly-respected commentator on agricultural policy in Australia.
- Gary Keogh: Former professional cricketer from Ireland who played in ICC Trophy from 1986 to 1997.
- Andrew Keogh: He was a British-born American lawyer, librarian, and author, best known for his work in the field of law librarianship.
- Krystal Keogh: A professional New Zealand footballer who has played, among other teams, for Liverpool.
- Vincent Keogh: Renowned Irish artist known for his landscape painting.
- Dermot Keogh: Irish historian and professor emeritus of history at University College Cork.