Surname Keetch - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'K'
Keetch: What does the surname Keetch mean?
The origin and meaning of the last name Keetch can be traced back to several European countries, including England, France, Ireland and Scotland.
In England, the name Keetch has its origins in the old English ‘Kec’, which means ‘hunter’ or ‘follower’. In France, the last name is thought to come from ‘kez’, a Middle French word meaning ‘stalk’. In Scotland and Ireland, the name has its roots in the Gaelic ‘caoitch’, meaning ‘watchful’ or ‘alert’. Across different cultures, the term ‘Keetch’ is thought to refer to someone who is capable of seeing danger before others, or is a keen hunter or tracker.
The surname Keetch has also been associated with various cultural variations. In England, for instance, the spelling may vary between Keatch, Ketch, Kich and Kitch. It may also have the additional variants of Keep, Kirk, Keech and Kish.
To this day the last name Keetch continues to be quite popular and is mostly found in England and some parts of the United States. Additionally, records show some families of this surname in Australia, Canada, and South Africa.
Order DNA origin analysisKeetch: Where does the name Keetch come from?
The last name Keetch is most commonly found in England, according to the Eyecatcher Project. Records show that Keetch is quite popular in the West Midlands and Warwickshire regions of England, although the name can also be found in other places in the United Kingdom such as Yorkshire, Wales, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. There are also a few Keetchs’ scattered throughout the United States, mostly in the New England area. Keetch is also a relatively popular last name in South Africa, Australia, and Canada.
The origin of the last name Keetch is that it originated from a decision of King John huntedot in 1207. During this time a group of people called Keelsmen, or boatsmen, were made free tenants of the lord’s estates along the River Thames. Keetch was likely a derivative of Kelsmen, and would eventually be used as a surname by many of these freed men over time.
There is not a single Keetch family line that can be traced back to the original settled tenants. Rather, the Keetch surname has spread and become more diverse over time, with family lines branching off to various parts of the United Kingdom and beyond. Overall, the Keetch last name appears to be most common in England today, with many branches extending throughout the United Kingdom, South Africa, Australia, Canada, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Keetch
The surname Keetch has many variants, spellings and related surnames that can be traced back to the same origin. Some of these variants, spellings and surnames include Keitch, Keich, Keetch, Kitch, Keysh, Kish and Keech.
The earliest known form of the Keetch surname appears to have been Keitch. This spelling was commonly found in records from Gloucestershire, England and believed to have been founded in the area during the 12th Century. Over time, this form of the surname developed into other forms and its variants spread throughout the country.
The second variant of the surname, Keich, has a Dutch origin and does not appear to have been connected with the Keetch variant. Later records showed the Keetch spelling to be more common in the Midlands area of England. This is attributed to the increasing population of the area due to industrialisation.
Variations of the Keetch surname such as Keysh and Kish are thought to be either derived from the original Keetch form, or from a personal name such as Kezia or Kaheesha.
The Keetch surname has since also spread around the world due to emigration and colonisation. Today, it can be found across the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.
Famous people with the name Keetch
- Jay Keetch: British actor who starred in shows like "Spooks", "Holby City" and "The Bill".
- Chris Keetch: former Rugby Union player from England, also known for playing for the England national team in the 2000s.
- Bruce Keetch: Canadian politician who served in provincial and federal legislatures from 1970–1988.
- Stephen Keetch: British barrister, writer and former judge of the High Court of England and Wales.
- David Keetch: soccer player who played for the English club, Chelsea and for the England national team.
- Rob Keetch: English musician, composer and record producer, best known as the bassist of cult 90s band “The Unbelievables”.
- George Keetch: British film, stage and television actor who appeared in over a hundred films and television series.
- Jonathan Keetch: British TV presenter known for his work on BBC TV in the 1970s and 1980s.
- Garrett Keetch: award-winning American actor who starred in the movie, "The Devil's Own" (1997).
- Brad Keetch: former professional ice hockey player and former head coach of the Central Hockey League's Quad City Mallards.
- Jonathan Keetch: British author and former artist whose works are focused on Christian themes.
- Brian Keetch: British television and radio producer, most notably with Granada Media, where he worked since 1998.