Keatt History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Keatt family

The surname Keatt was first found in Norfolk, where the name is generally thought to have been derived from a baptismal name as "the son of Kett, but whether Kett represents a nick, of Catherine, or, like Kit, of Christopher, I cannot say." 1

The first record of the name was Ailnod Kete who was recorded in the Pipe Rolls of 1166. A few years later, Richard Kete was recorded in Suffolk in 1221 and in Durham, Robert Chet was listed at Boldun in 1183. Richard Kyte was recorded in the Assize Rolls for Somerset in 1243. 2

William Ket was listed in the Hundredorum Rolls of Norfolk in 1273. 1 2 Ralph atte Kete was registered in Kent in 1292, Peter le Kyte was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Sussex in 1327 and John Kette was found in the Subsidy Rolls for Cambridgeshire in 1327. 2

The famed poet John Keats (1795-1821), was "born in London, at the sign of the Swan and Hoop, 24 The Pavement, Moorfields. These premises were occupied as a livery stable by one John Jennings, into whose service the father of the poet, Thomas Keats, had entered as a lad. Families of the name of Keats are found settled in Devonshire both north and south, and of the origin of Thomas Keats nothing is known except that he came either from that county or from Cornwall." 3

Early History of the Keatt family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Keatt research. Another 149 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1455, 1476, 1487, 1510, 1600, 1633, 1661, 1666, 1696, 1700, 1705, 1744, 1757, 1808, 1812 and 1834 are included under the topic Early Keatt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Keatt Spelling Variations

One relatively recent invention that did much to standardize English spelling was the printing press. However, before its invention even the most literate people recorded their names according to sound rather than spelling. The spelling variations under which the name Keatt has appeared include Keate, Keete, Keyte, Keite, Keat, Keet, Keats and many more.

Early Notables of the Keatt family

Distinguished members of the family include Sir Jonathan Keate, 1st Baronet (1633-1700), of The Hoo, County of Hertford, High Sheriff of Hertfordshire in 1666; Sir Gilbert Hoo Keate, 2nd Baronet (c. 1661-1705); and Sir Henry Hoo Keate, 3rd Baronet (c. 1696-1744.)Sir...
Another 40 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Keatt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Keatt family

At this time, the shores of the New World beckoned many English families that felt that the social climate in England was oppressive and lacked opportunity for change. Thousands left England at great expense in ships that were overcrowded and full of disease. A great portion of these settlers never survived the journey and even a greater number arrived sick, starving, and without a penny. The survivors, however, were often greeted with greater opportunity than they could have experienced back home. These English settlers made significant contributions to those colonies that would eventually become the United States and Canada. An examination of early immigration records and passenger ship lists revealed that people bearing the name Keatt arrived in North America very early: Eliza Keats, Nancy Keats, Thomas Keats and Fanny Keats, who all arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1750; George Keats, who settled in Philadelphia in 1818.

Citations +

Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print