Show ContentsKeveney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The surname Keveney comes from the original Irish Gaelic name Ó Geibheannaigh or Mac Geibheannaigh. 1

Early Origins of the Keveney family

The surname Keveney was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, which is the principal homeland of the sept O Geibheannaigh. The O Geibheannaigh sept belonged to the Ui Maine (Hy Many) and descended from Geibheannach, the son of a Hy Many chief slain in 971. There was also a County Fermanagh sept called Mac Geibheannaigh mentioned in the Annals of Loch Ce in 1308.

Early History of the Keveney family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Keveney research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1590 and 1599 are included under the topic Early Keveney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Keveney Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Keaveney, Keveney, Kevany, Geaveny, Geaney, Geane, Gaine, Gainey, O'Keaveney, O'Geaney and many more.

Early Notables of the Keveney family

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


United States Keveney migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Keveney Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Hannah, Margaret, and William Keveney, who, who arrived in New York in 1805

Contemporary Notables of the name Keveney (post 1700) +

  • John T. Keveney, American politician, Socialist Labor Candidate for New York State Assembly from Kings County 11th District, 1900 2
  • Charles Keveney, American politician, Socialist Labor Candidate for Presidential Elector for New York, 1900 2


The Keveney 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: Turris fortis mihi Deus
Motto Translation: God is a tower of strength to me.


  1. MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
  2. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 7) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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