Keams History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Keams is a name that first reached England following the Norman Conquest of 1066. The Keams family lived in Lincolnshire. The surname comes from one of two places in Lincolnshire which bear the name Kyme: South Kyme and North Kyme, both in the vicinity of Tattershall. [1]

Early Origins of the Keams family

The surname Keams was first found in Lincolnshire where they held a family seat as Lords of the Manor of Kestevan. At the time of the taking of the Domesday Book census in 1086 initiated by Duke William of Normandy after his conquest of England in 1066, the holdings are not shown but later, within the next century, it was recorded as the Honour of Kymes. [2]

"This parish, which is situated on that part of the Sleaford navigation called Kyme Eau, derived its name from the Kyme family, who were barons by tenure and writ in the reign of Stephen, and had a seat here, mentioned by Leland as a 'goodly house and park,' of which only the tower now remains." [1]

Sir William, the founder of the family, also founded the Priory of Bolinton about 1135. "The Kymes assumed the surname from a fair lordship, the principal place of their residence in Kesteven. " [3]

Sir Philip de Kyme was the first officially recorded, succeeded by his son Sir William de Kyme. Sir Philip was Baron Kyme, Lord of the Manor, and was summoned to Parliament in 1295-1313 to represent Lincolnshire. Sir William was summoned to Parliament in 1323-1336.

Early History of the Keams family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Keams research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1100, 1160, 1530, 1463, 1420, 1412, 1413, 1412, 1414, 1420, 1422, 1427, 1427, 1428, 1431, 1433 and 1455 are included under the topic Early Keams History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Keams Spelling Variations

It is only in the last few hundred years that the English language has been standardized. For that reason, Anglo-Norman surnames like Keams are characterized by many spelling variations. Scribes and monks in the Middle Ages spelled names they sounded, so it is common to find several variations that refer to a single person. As the English language changed and incorporated elements of other European languages such as Norman French and Latin, even literate people regularly changed the spelling of their names. The variations of the name Keams include Kimes, Kymes, Kyme, Kime and others.

Early Notables of the Keams family (pre 1700)

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Gilbert Kymer (died 1463), an early English educator and physician, Dean of Salisbury, Chancellor of the University of Oxford. was educated at Durham College, on the site of which the present Trinity College stands. He graduated as master of arts and philosophy, bachelor of laws, and doctor of medicine previously to 1420 (Tanner). In 1412-1413 he served the office of proctor, and from 1412 to 1414 was principal of Hart Hall. On 16 Dec. 1420, being still a layman, he was presented to the living of Lutterworth, Leicestershire, by William, lord Ferrers...
Another 99 words (7 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Keams Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Keams migration to Australia +

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

Keams Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Keams, (b. 1848), aged 31, Cornish labourer travelling aboard the ship "Peterborough" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 4th May 1879 [4]
Mrs. Eliza Keams, (b. 1849), aged 30, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Peterborough" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 4th May 1879 [4]
Miss Mary A. Keams, (b. 1870), aged 9, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Peterborough" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 4th May 1879 [4]
Miss L. Ann Keams, (b. 1873), aged 6, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Peterborough" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 4th May 1879 [4]
Miss Rosey Keams, (b. 1874), aged 5, Cornish settler travelling aboard the ship "Peterborough" arriving in Sydney, New South Wales, Australia on 4th May 1879 [4]
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Lewis, Samuel, A Topographical Dictionary of England. Institute of Historical Research, 1848, Print.
Williams, Dr Ann. And G.H. Martin, Eds., Domesday Book A Complete Translation. London: Penguin, 1992. Print. (ISBN 0-141-00523-8)
Lower, Mark Anthony, Patronymica Britannica, A Dictionary of Family Names of the United Kingdom. London: John Russel Smith, 1860. Print.
Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 2018, April 19). Emigrants to Australia NSW 1860 -88 [PDF]. Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/nsw_passenger_lists_1860_88.pdf