Keege History, Family Crest & Coats of ArmsThe original Gaelic form of Keege was Mac Taidh or Ó Taidhg. Early Origins of the Keege familyThe surname Keege was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they held a family seat from ancient times. Early History of the Keege familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Keege research. Another 95 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1493, 1583, 1589, 1772 and 1810 are included under the topic Early Keege History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Keege Spelling VariationsWithin the archives researched, many different spelling variations of the surname Keege were found. These included One reason for the many variations is that scribes and church officials often spelled an individual's name as it sounded. This imprecise method often led to many versions. MacTeige, McTeige, MacTigue, McTigue, MacCaig, MacCaige, McCaig, McCaige, MacKaig, McKaig, MacKeague, McKeague, McKeage, MacTague and many more. Early Notables of the Keege familyAnother 41 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Keege Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Keege familyThe 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the Keege family relocated to North American shores quite early: Bernard, Charles, Edward, Hugh, Thomas and William McTague, who all arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania between 1840 and 1860; Andrew, Bernard, Hugh, John and William MacTeague arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860.
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto. Motto: Summum nec metuam diem nec optem Motto Translation: May I neither dread nor desire the last day. |