Surname O'Keane - Meaning and Origin

O'Keane: What does the surname O'Keane mean?

The surname O'Keane is an Irish surname which originated in the eleventh century. The surname O'Keane is derived from the name Keane which is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic term Mac Cathmhaoil. The Gaelic name translates to mean “son of the one of battle.” The family name has been around since the eleventh century and is mostly found in Connacht and Ulster in the Republic and Northern Ireland.

The name Keane is an old Irish name and is derived from the modern Irish word Caomh which translates to mean "gentle". The spelling of the surname changed over time due to the different dialects and speech forms prevalent in the area where the surname originated.

The surname O'Keane can also be spelt O'Kane, O'Keene, O'Kyne, and O'Queene. This variation occurred due to the phonetic pronunciation of the name within the English language, as the letter "K" was often replaced with "Q", and the final "e" was often dropped or added, depending on the local dialect.

The surname has been widely used to this day and has been adopted by many families across the length and breadth of Ireland. A number of the O'Keane's still live in Ireland, but people have emigrated across the world in order to start fresh lives, taking the surname with them as part of their identity.

O'Keane: Where does the name O'Keane come from?

The last name O'Keane is mainly found throughout Ireland, especially in the provinces of Munster and Ulster. The Irish spelling of O'Keane would be Ó Catháin and is derived from a Gaelic personal name. The majority of people with this surname are said to have originated from the Irish townland of Kilpadder in County Wexford, located on the east coast near Wexford Harbour.

The name O’Keane has been one of the most common names found in the census of Ireland since the mid-1800s. It is also believed that many O'Keane families emigrated from Ireland during the 1840s and the early twentieth century, to various parts of the world including England, the United States, Australia and South Africa.

Today, O'Keane is still a common surname in Ireland and several other countries. This name is found mainly in counties Wexford, Roscommon and Galway in particular. However, due to emigration, it can also be found throughout the United Kingdom, United States, Canada, Australia and South Africa. In the United States alone, it is estimated that there are over 5000 people with the O'Keane surname. Additionally, O'Keane families have been found in countries such as New Zealand, France, Germany, Spain, Portugal, Peru and Brazil.

Variations of the surname O'Keane

The surname O'Keane is derived from the Gaelic surname “O’Cathain” which translates to “descendant of Cathán”. Throughout history this surname has been found in a host of different spellings and variants, including O'Kein, O'Kain, O'Kane, Kane, Keane, O’Kain, Kean, and Cathan.

The anglicised versions of the name often came about as a result of conflicts between the Gaelic and English cultures over a period of centuries. The original Gaelic form of the name O’Cathain was often simplified to either Kane or Keane to make it easier for English immigration officials to register immigrants. O’Keane and O’ Kain were also often used in the same way.

As a result, descendants from the very same family often ended up with an array of different spellings of their surname. While the Irish language is now being more widely accepted, many people are unaware that their surname may not reflect the original form.

In addition to the various spellings, many people also adopted different surnames. These may have emerged as a result of seeking employment or when adapting to a new area in pursuit of opportunity, with people taking on the name of their employers.

The variations also often related to individual’s nicknames or “pet names”, which in the past, might have been more widely accepted than a surname. In the case of O’Keane, this might have come from the name Caelin, meaning “slender”, which was often given to the descendants of Cathán. Caelin could also lead to variations such as Quillin and Kaelin, with the associated surnames Quillan and Kaelin.

In summary, even though the root of all these spellings and surnames comes from O’Cathain, it is possible to trace the changes to O’Keane through various forms of anglicisation, pet-names, and nicknames. Depending on the locale and period in history, its variants, spellings and derivatives can offer an interesting insight into the name’s past.

Famous people with the name O'Keane

• Patrick O'Keane: Actor best known for his roles in the television shows The Doctors and Edge of Darkness
• Arthur O'Keane: Irish artist
• Shane O'Keane: National-award winning photographer
• Niall O'Keane: Professional rugby player who played for Leinster and Connacht
• Denis O'Keane: Award-winning film editor and producer
• William O'Keane: Irish sculptor
• Paul O'Keane: Irish actor and director
• Jake O'Keane: Professional cyclist and triathlete
• Stephen O'Keane: Award-winning composer
• Regan O'Keane: Irish television presenter and radio DJ

Other surnames

O'Kean