Surname Keyes - Meaning and Origin

Redefining Family Identity: A Journey Through My iGENEA DNA Test and the Heritage of the Keyes Surname

My iGENEA DNA test results have unlocked a profound comprehension of my family heritage. It has enlightened me about the historical journey behind my surname, Keyes, and reshaped my family identity, adding depth and perspective to our historical awareness. This report delves into how the DNA insights have stirred curiosity and awe about our journey as a family and enriched our sense of who we are.

F. Keyes

Keyes: What does the surname Keyes mean?

The last name Keyes is of English origin and is derived from the Old English word "caeg," meaning a quay or landing place. It is most commonly found as a topographical name referring to someone who lived near a landing place, or as an occupational name for someone who worked at a quay or port. It is also believed to be derived from the Old English word "caege," meaning something that is curved or hooked.

The surname Keyes originated in the Middle Ages and has spread throughout England and to various parts of the world. As the name entered other countries, such as the United States and Canada, it began to be spelled differently. Today, spellings range from Keyes, Keays, Kays, and Keys, to Kyes and even Key.

The surname was likely adopted not only due to its physical location in a port or a quay, but also as a way to distinguish someone who held an important role in that place. The Keyes surname may then have been taken by certain families as a way to display their status and position in society.

No matter where the spelling originates, the last name Keyes is an important symbol of both English and world history. It remains both a physical and figurative sign of social mobility, evolution, and change.

Keyes: Where does the name Keyes come from?

The last name Keyes is most commonly found in the United States today, mainly concentrated in the Midwest region. The states that have the highest concentration of individuals named Keyes are Illinois, Ohio, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Michigan, Pennsylvania, and Alabama.

This last name likely originated as an English surname, and is derived from a place of origin, such as a town called Keyes. It is believed that the surname originated in the 11th century when surnames first began to be recorded. In fact, there is an old English word meaning grandmother, which is the French "kei" or the German "keise", which could have been a possible source of the name Keyes.

In the United States, individuals with the surname Keyes have participated in all areas of life, including politics, media, the arts, sports, medicine, law and business. Today, there are a variety of prominent individuals who proudly share the surname, such as the former Senator from Delaware, Joseph Biden and the well-known actor and comedian, Melissa McCarthy.

The surname Keyes has also been recorded in other countries as well, such as Ireland, Scotland and Canada. In addition, there have been individuals with the surname Keyes who have lived in countries stretching from India to Australia.

Variations of the surname Keyes

The surname Keyes is derived from the surname "Cai," which is of Welsh origin. Spellings of Keyes include Caie, Cae, Kay, Keane, and Cai.

Variants of the surname Keyes include Caeys, Cais, Kays, Keays, Keighs, and Kaine. Depending on which spelling is being used, slight variances in how some of the variants are spelled exist.

The surname Keyes can also be written as Kyes or Kyes. In this spelling, variants of this surname include Kyeses, Kyces, and Kys.

The surname Keyes is also sometimes found spelled as Key, which has the variants Keys, Keies, and Kyse.

In Ireland, the surname Keyes is most frequently found in County Sligo, where it is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic Mac an Cháis, meaning "son of Cais."

Other surnames of the same origin include Cairnes, Kaines, Kanes, Kayes, Keanes, Kines, and MacKains.

In England, the surname is most commonly associated with Gloucestershire, Leicester, Shropshire, Somerset, and Warwickshire, and is derived from the Old English ceorl, meaning churl.

Famous people with the name Keyes

• Melissa Keyes: American stage actress
• John R. Keyes: British actor
• Alan Keyes: American conservative political activist and former diplomat
• Francis Scott Key: American writer and lawyer best known for writing the lyrics of The Star-Spangled Banner
• Alice Keyes: American singer, songwriter, and author
• Kara Keyes: American singer-songwriter
• Zach Keyes: American comedian and blogger
• Richard Keyes: English actor
• Samantha Keyes: American professional wrestler
• Frank Keyes: American baseball player and manager

Other surnames

Keyerleber