First found in county Cork, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

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More about the Keefer History...

Please remember that this page is only a small extract of our complete history that includes:

• Ancient origin of the name (usually pre-1100)
• Known spelling variations
• Early movement of the family name during the Middle Ages
• Noteworthy bearers from the 1500-1600s
• First settlers to North America
• Notable contemporary bearers of the name
• A description and/or full color picture of the Coat of Arms, Crest, and Motto (where available)

Under the rule of England, land ownership in Ireland changed dramatically, and many native Irish Families found themselves renting out land to farm from absentee owners. This was one of the prime reasons that immigration to North America began in the late 18th century: Irish farmers dreamed of owning their own parcel of land to work for themselves. At this point, the immigrants were at least of modest means for the passage across the Atlantic was often quite dear. In the 1840s the Great Potato Famine created an exodus of people of quite different means. These people were most often destitute: they either sold anything they had to gain a passage or they were sponsored by philanthropic societies. Many of these immigrants were sick from disease and starvation: as a result many did not survive the long transatlantic journey. Although those settlers that did survive were often despised and discriminated against by people already established in these nations, they were critical to rapid development of the powerful industrial nations of the United States and the country that would later become known as Canada. An examination of immigration and passenger lists shows many persons bearing the name of Keefer or one of its variants: Anthony, Daniel, Hugh, John, Lawrence, Owen, Patrick, Thomas and William Keefe, all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860; Daniel, Denis, James, John, Joseph, Michael, and Patrick Keeffe, all arrived in Philadelphia during the same period.

For more information on the last name Keefer, the PDF Surname History is available for purchase as well as other products.