Keef History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The 18th and 19th centuries saw many Irish families immigrate to North America in search of land and opportunities. The largest influx of Irish immigrants to the United States and British North America came during the 1840s when the Great Potato Famine laid waste to their homeland. Hundreds of thousands left the island in an attempt to escape the starvation and disease it brought. Although the arrival of such a large number of destitute Irish was not welcomed by the established population in the United States and what would become known as Canada at the time, these Irish were an essential element to the rapid development of these growing industrial nations. They filled the demand for the cheap labor needed for the work in factories and in the construction of bridges, roads, canals, and railways. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has revealed many immigrants bearing the name of Keef or one of its variants:

Keef Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Ellen Keef, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 2
• Charles P Keef, who arrived in Mobile County, Ala in 1844 2
• Michael Keef, who landed in New York in 1861 2

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Keef Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

• Mr. Keef James U.E. who settled in Parr Town [Saint John], New Brunswick c. 1784 3
• Mr. Keef Daniel U.E., "Keefe" who settled in Parr Town [Saint John], New Brunswick c. 1784 3

Keef Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Catherine Keef, aged 18, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Velocity"

• Alan Keef, English founder of Alan Keef Ltd, a British narrow gauge railway engineering company in 1975