Keenan History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

A great mass of Ireland's native population left the island in the 19th century, seeking relief from various forms of social, religious, and economic discrimination. This Irish exodus was primarily to North America. If the migrants survived the long ocean journey, many unfortunately would find more discrimination in the colonies of British North America and the fledgling United States of America. These newly arrived Irish were, however, wanted as a cheap source of labor for the many large agricultural and industrial projects that were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest nations in the western world. Early immigration and passenger lists indicate many people bearing the Keenan name:

Keenan Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Lawrence Keenan, who settled in Maryland in 1776

Keenan Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Mary Keenan, aged 24, who landed in New York, NY in 1804 5
• Dennis Keenan, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 5
• Charles Keenan, aged 26, who arrived in Maryland in 1812 5
• Michael Keenan, aged 30, who arrived in New York in 1812 5
• Patrick Keenan, aged 31, who landed in New York in 1812 5
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Keenan Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Edward Keenan, aged 27, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Neptune" in 1833
• Hugh Keenan, aged 24, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
• Owen Keenan, aged 22, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Betsy Heron" from Belfast, Ireland
• Eleanor Keenan, aged 32, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1838 aboard the brig "Susan Maria Brooke" from Donegal, Ireland
• Bessey Keenan, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1838 aboard the brig "Susan Maria Brooke" from Donegal, Ireland
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Keenan Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

• Mr. Andrew Keenan, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Fanny" on 25th August 1815, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 6
• Mr. John Keenan, (b. 1809), aged 19, Irish servent who was convicted in Clonmel, County Tipperary, Ireland for life for felony, transported aboard the "Borodino" on 11th February 1828, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 7
• Mr. Barnabas Keenan, (Bernard), (b. 1819), aged 17, English publican who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 14 years, transported aboard the "Bengal Merchant" on 4th August 1836, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1870 8
• Mr. Myles Keenan, (Nyles), (b. 1811), aged 27, Irish gardener from Roscommon who was convicted in Liverpool, Merseyside, England for 10 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Coromandel" on 25th June 1838, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 9
• Mr. Andrew Keenan, (b. 1772), aged 66, Irish soldier who was convicted in Monaghan, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 11th May 1838, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Keenan Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Mr. James Keenan, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship "Inchinnan" arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 27th May 1852 11
• Mr. John Keenan, (b. 1837), aged 21, British labourer travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Indiana" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 28th November 1858 11
• Mr. Michael Keenan, (b. 1842), aged 19, Irish labourer, from County Fermanagh travelling from London aboard the ship "Sebastopol" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th December 1861 12
• Miss Margaret Keenan, (b. 1837), aged 25, British housemaid travelling from London aboard the ship 'Mermaid' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 26th December 1862 11
• Mr. John Keenan, (b. 1842), aged 22, British mason travelling from Gravesend, UK aboard the ship "British Empire" arriving in Lyttelton, South Island, New Zealand on 6th September 1864 11
• ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

• Will Keenan (b. 1974), American film producer, actor, director, writer and stuntman
• Maynard James Keenan (b. 1964), born James Herbert Keenan, an American rock singer, songwriter, musician and record producer
• John Keenan (1840-1906), United States Army soldier, recipient of the Medal of Honor, for his actions in the Indian Wars of the western United States
• Joe Keenan (b. 1958), American five-time Primetime Emmy Award-winning screenwriter, television producer and novelist, best known for his work on the television sitcom "Frasier"
• Harry George Keenan (1867-1944), American silent film actor who starred in 45 silent films
• Edward L. Keenan (b. 1935), Andrew W. Mellon professor emeritus of history at Harvard University
• Don C. Keenan (b. 1951), American trial lawyer and author, the head partner in the Keenan Law Firm, Atlanta, Georgia
• Barbara Milano Keenan (b. 1950), American judge on United States Court of Appeals
• Paul Keenan (1955-1986), American actor, best remembered for his long-time role on the television daytime serial 'Days of our Lives'
• Brian Edmund Peter Keenan (1943-1985), American musician, drummer for The Chambers Brothers
• ... (Another 10 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)