Keen History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  Ireland 


The surname Keen originally appeared in Gaelic as "O Cathain" or "Mac Cathain."

Early Origins of the Keen family

The surname Keen was first found in County Londonderry (Irish: Doire), a Northern Irish county also known as Derry, in the province of Ulster. At one time, the areas was named O'Cahan Country.

Early History of the Keen family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Keen research. Another 130 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1196, 1617, 1631, 1641, 1644, 1680, 1697, 1709, 1714, 1730, 1754, 1757, 1781 and 1819 are included under the topic Early Keen History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Keen Spelling Variations

The Middle Ages saw a great number of spelling variations for surnames common to the Irish landscape. One reason for these variations is the fact that surnames were not rigidly fixed by this period because the general population had to rely on local official's understanding of how their name should be spelt, hence spellings in records often changed through a person's lifetime. The following variations for the name Keen were encountered in the archives: Keane, Kane, Kayne, Keaney, Keny, Keyne, O'Kane, O'Keane, O'Cahan, Cahan, Kean, O'Cain, McCloskey, McCluskey, McClaskey and many more.

Early Notables of the Keen family

Prominent amongst the family at this time was

Keen World Ranking

In the United States, the name Keen is the 1,624th most popular surname with an estimated 19,896 people with that name. 1 However, in Australia, the name Keen is ranked the 789th most popular surname with an estimated 4,952 people with that name. 2 And in New Zealand, the name Keen is the 573rd popular surname with an estimated 1,243 people with that name. 3 The United Kingdom ranks Keen as 760th with 8,814 people. 4


Keen migration to the United States +

Ireland became inhospitable for many native Irish families in the 19th centuries. Poverty, lack of opportunities, high rents, and discrimination forced thousands to leave the island for North America. The largest exodus of Irish settlers occurred with the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. For these immigrants the journey to British North America and the United States was long and dangerous and many did not live to see the shores of those new lands. Those who did make it were essential to the development of what would become two of the wealthiest and most powerful nations of the world. These Irish immigrants were not only important for peopling the new settlements and cities, they also provided the manpower needed for the many industrial and agricultural projects so essential to these growing nations. Immigration and passenger lists have documented the arrival of various people bearing the name Keen to North America:

Keen Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
Keen Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
Keen Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
Keen Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Keen migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Keen Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Keen migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Keen Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name Keen (post 1700) +


The Keen 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: Felis demulcta mitis
Motto Translation: A stroked cat is gentle.


Suggested Readings for the name Keen +
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