Show ContentsKee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Kee surname is derived from the Gaelic MacAoidh; "Aoidh" is Gaelic for fire, as well as the name of a pagan god.

Early Origins of the Kee family

The surname Kee was first found in Sutherland (Gaelic: Cataibh), a former county in northern Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Highland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the Kee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kee research. Another 276 words (20 lines of text) covering the years 1329, 1408, 1411, 1429, 1506 and 1575 are included under the topic Early Kee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kee Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacKay, MacCay, MacQuey, MacQuoid, MacKaw, MacKy, MacKye, MacCoy, McCoy and many more.

Early Notables of the Kee family

More information is included under the topic Early Kee Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kee Ranking

In the United States, the name Kee is the 3,768th most popular surname with an estimated 7,461 people with that name. 1

Ireland Migration of the Kee family to Ireland

Some of the Kee family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 63 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States Kee migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kee Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Silvester Kee, who landed in Maryland in 1671 2
Kee Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • George Kee, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 2
  • Jane Kee, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 2
  • Margaret Kee, who arrived in New Jersey in 1811 2
  • Patrick Kee, who arrived in New Jersey in 1811 2
  • Robert Kee, who arrived in New Jersey in 1811 2
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Canada Kee migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kee Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Martha Kee, aged 19, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Prudence" in 1838
  • John Kee, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Prudence" in 1838
  • Thomas Kee, aged 21, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick aboard the ship "Prudence" in 1838

Contemporary Notables of the name Kee (post 1700) +

  • Harry Weldon Kee (1914-1955), American poet, painter, literary critic, novelist, jazz pianist, and short story writer
  • John P. Kee (b. 1962), American gospel singer and pastor
  • James Kee (1917-1989), American Democratic politician
  • Maude Elizabeth Kee (1895-1975), American Democratic politician
  • Paul Kee (b. 1969), former Northern Irish footballer
  • Jenny Kee (b. 1947), Australian fashion designer
  • Robert Kee (b. 1919), British broadcaster, journalist and writer
  • Billy Rodney Kee (b. 1990), English footballer

Arrow Air Flight 1285
  • Mr. Jeff Scott Kee (1963-1985), American Specialist 4th Class from Pensacola, Florida, USA who died in the Arrow Air Flight 1285 crash 3


The Kee Motto +

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: Manu forti
Motto Translation: With a strong hand.


Suggested Readings for the name Kee +

  • The 1868-73 Journals of Emma Celinda Howe by Ralph M. Kee.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  3. American War Memorials - Flight 1285. (Retrieved 2016, August 24) . Retrieved from http://www.uswarmemorials.org/html/monument_details.php?SiteID=317&MemID=550


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