McKeat History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The name McKeat is from the ancient Anglo-Saxon culture of the Britain and comes from Kit, a diminutive of the name Christopher. After the Norman Conquest of 1066, Old English personal names declined in popularity to be replaced by the new Christian names that they brought with them. One of these was Christopher.

Early Origins of the McKeat family

The surname McKeat was first found in Yorkshire 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 McKeat family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McKeat research. Another 90 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1270, 1359, 1485, 1520, 1540, 1835, 1907 and 1911 are included under the topic Early McKeat History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McKeat Spelling Variations

The first dictionaries that appeared in the last few hundred years did much to standardize the English language. Before that time, spelling variations in names were a common occurrence. The language was changing, incorporating pieces of other languages, and the spelling of names changed with it. McKeat has been spelled many different ways, including Kitson, Kidson, Kydson, MacKett, MacCeit and others.

Early Notables of the McKeat family

Another 35 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McKeat Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McKeat family to Ireland

Some of the McKeat family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McKeat family

Thousands of English families in this era began to emigrate the New World in search of land and freedom from religious and political persecution. Although the passage was expensive and the ships were dark, crowded, and unsafe, those who made the voyage safely were rewarded with opportunities unavailable to them in their homeland. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first McKeats to arrive in North America: Marmaduke Kitson, who settled in Virginia in 1639; along Merma; Mary Kitson, who settled in Virginia in 1768; as well as George, James, Nathan and Thomas Kitson, who all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..