Surname Keefe - Meaning and Origin

Unveiling the Keefe Legacy: A Journey into Family History Through iGENEA DNA Analysis

Unraveling the mysteries of my family name, Keefe, through iGENEA's DNA testing revealed a rich Irish heritage. Probing the origins led to a journey across time and space, plunging deep into medieval history and tying me closely to prominent figures in Ireland’s past.

W. Keefe

Keefe: What does the surname Keefe mean?

The surname Keefe is thought to be of Irish origin, with some references indicating a possible British-Saxon origin as well. It is believed that the name is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name O' Caoithfidh, derived from the word caoithfidh, meaning "kind" or "gentle". Historically, the name originated from County Clare, Ireland, which was part of the Norman-Gaelic Kingdom of Thomond.

In modern day, the last name Keefe demonstrates that the family has ancient roots and aristocratic standing. As such, the name is now associated with characteristics such as loyalty, strength, intelligence, and leadership. Many of those who carry the surname have gone on to become great contributors to their communities and society as a whole, citing Keefe as representing long-standing values, reliability, and a sense of honor and integrity.

Keefe is an old name and a proud one, one that is full of history and a corresponding sense of pride. It has been passed down through generations of Irish and British families and is still in use today, a testament to the strength and resilience of its originators.

Keefe: Where does the name Keefe come from?

The last name Keefe is most commonly found in English-speaking countries, with the majority of Keefes located in the United States. The United States has the largest population of people with the Keefe name, with around 890,000 in the country. It is also found in smaller numbers in Australia, the United Kingdom, and Ireland. Within the United States, the name is most commonly found in the Midwest, particularly the states of Illinois and Indiana. The name Keefe can be found throughout North America, Europe, and Australia. It is believed that the Keefe family originated in Ireland, where records of their presence were found dating back to the 14th century. Its history is closely linked to the Keating, an old Irish Gaelic clan whose members were prominent in politics and military service.

Since its emergence in Ireland, the Keefe family has spread across the world and can be seen as a highly successful example of diaspora. Today, there is a growing community of Keefes around the world, with members of the extended family living in many different places. This is largely thanks to the family’s successes when it comes to business and travel. The Keefe family’s legacy is one that has endured for centuries, embracing the notion of adventure and the necessity of adapting to foreign cultures.

Variations of the surname Keefe

The surname Keefe is derived from the Old Irish Gaelic name O’Cadhla, which was originally pronounced ‘O-Ka-la’. It has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin, including:

Keal, Keala, Kaehl, Kealy, Kealy-O-Keefe, Keaylih, Kee Magnus, Keefe, Keefee, Keefey, Keefy, Keeffe, Keeleys, Keel, Keele, Keeley, Keelihan, Keell, Keelon, Keem, Keemig, Kef, Kefa, Kefee, Kehoe, Keily, and Kela.

Many of the variants are derived from Anglicised spellings of the original Irish variation- for example, ‘Keefy’ was created from the shorter version of ‘O’Keefe’. Some have also been simplified over time, turning ‘O’Keeffe’ into ‘Keefy’ and ‘O’Cadhla’ into ‘Keefe’.

Other related surnames include Keaveny, Kee, Keevan, Keig, Keighan, Keil, Keir, Kelleher, Kellett, Kelly, Kelso, Kely, Keooky, Kerin and Kervin. Surnames such as Keefe-Maguire and McKeever are also related, due to their derived names.

Variants of the Keefe surname also include spelling mistakes and errors in transcription, which have taken on a life of their own. These include Coofey, Coffey, Coiffy, Kaffy, Kaffey and Koffey. Others spellings, such as Kury, Kuffey, Kiffy, Koffy and Kaffie have been popular variations of the surname.

Despite the many spellings of the surname, all are variants of the Old Irish Gaelic name O’Cadhla. In all forms, the surname Keefe is associated with Irish ancestry.

Famous people with the name Keefe

• Ken Keefe: American rock musician, composer, and producer best known for his work in the indie rock band The Mountain Goats.
• Sean Keefe: American football cornerback for the Cleveland Browns.
• Bill Keefe: Former Major League Baseball player who played for four teams over nine seasons.
• Bonnie Keefe: Former MLB pitcher and current MLB broadcaster.
• Michael Keefe: Voice actor and cartoonist from Canada.
• Connor Keefe: Professional hockey player and member of the American Hockey League's Syracuse Crunch.
• Pat Keefe: Former professional lacrosse player and current Senior Advisor for Player Development for the Denver Outlaws.
• Peter Keefe: Actor best known for his roles in the television programs 24 and The Mentalist.
• Brendan Keefe: Reporter for WXIA-TV in Atlanta, Georgia.
• Margaret Keefe: Mother of eight and author of numerous historical novels.

Other surnames

KeeferKeeffe