Show ContentsCaie History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The Caie surname is thought to have emerged from several different sources. In Northern England and Scotland, it comes from the Old Norse "ká," which meant "jackdaw." It also came from the Breton and Old Welsh word "Cai," and the Cornish word "Key," both of which meant "wharf." And, in some instances, this surname is no doubt derived from the Old English "Coeg," which meant "key."

Early Origins of the Caie family

The surname Caie was first found in Yorkshire, but the surname was also found in Lincolnshire, and Cambridgeshire as far back as the 13th century. One of the first records in Scotland was the Kae family of Croslats who were and "old family" of West Lothian. The Keay spelling was quite popular in Perthshire. Philip Qua was listed in Aberdeen in 1317 and Donald Ka was listed there too in 1399. Thomas Kaa was on an inquest taken at Berwick-on-Tweed in 1370. Patrick Ka was burgess of Linkithgow until his death in 1445. [1] The "Mac" prefix seems is difficult to clarify. Some Mackay (Macaoid) families may have shortened their name.

Early History of the Caie family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Caie research. Another 154 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1219, 1246, 1372, 1500, 1640 and 1704 are included under the topic Early Caie History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Caie Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kay, Kaye and others.

Early Notables of the Caie family

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

Ireland Migration of the Caie family to Ireland

Some of the Caie family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 37 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


New Zealand Caie 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:

Caie Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • William Caie, aged 26, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1865 [2]
  • Jessie Caie, aged 28, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1865 [2]
  • Helen Caie, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Bombay" in 1865 [2]

Contemporary Notables of the name Caie (post 1700) +

  • John Morrison Caie CB FRSE (1878-1949), Scottish civil servant and poet, Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh
  • William Shand Caie (1814-1873), Scottish-born, Canadian merchant and politician in the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick from 1865 to 1873


The Caie 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: Kynd Kynn Knawne Kepe
Motto Translation: Keep your own kin-kind.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 7th November 2010). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html


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