Keyte History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England

Early Origins of the Keyte family

The surname Keyte 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 Keyte family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Keyte 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 Keyte History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Keyte Spelling Variations

The English language only became standardized in the last few centuries; therefore,spelling variations are common among early Anglo-Saxon names. As the form of the English language changed, even the spelling of literate people's names evolved. Keyte has been recorded under many different variations, including Keate, Keete, Keyte, Keite, Keat, Keet, Keats and many more.

Early Notables of the Keyte 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 Keyte Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Keyte migration to the United States +

For many English families, the political and religious disarray that shrouded England made the far away New World an attractive prospect. On cramped disease-ridden ships, thousands migrated to those British colonies that would eventually become Canada and the United States. Those hardy settlers that survived the journey often went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations in which they landed. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name Keyte or a variant listed above:

Keyte Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Edwin Keyte, who settled in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1860

Keyte Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Ernest Joseph Keyte, aged 42, originally from Birmingham, England, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Carmania" from Liverpool, England 4
Donald Vivian Keyte, aged 20, originally from Birmingham, England, who arrived in New York in 1920 aboard the ship "Carmania" from Liverpool, England 4
Babara Keyte, aged 42, originally from S. Shields, England, who arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Mauretania" from Southampton, England 4

Keyte migration to Australia +

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

Keyte Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Henry Keyte, aged 36, a labourer, who arrived in South Australia in 1851 aboard the ship "Navarino" 5
William Keyte, aged 38, a blacksmith, who arrived in South Australia in 1856 aboard the ship "Nimroud"
Mr. Daniel Keyte, English convict who was convicted in Stafford, Staffordshire, England for 10 years, transported aboard the "Clyde" on 11th March 1863, arriving in Western Australia, Australia 6

Contemporary Notables of the name Keyte (post 1700) +

Harry Keyte Jr., American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Pennsylvania, 1964 7
David Keyte (1954-2022), English businessman and football chairman of Hereford United
Lawrence Keyte (b. 1963), Canadian modern pentathlete at the 1988 Summer Olympics
Greg Keyte, New Zealand professional polo player who frequently plays for the New Zealand National Team
Jennifer Anne Keyte (b. 1960), Australian television journalist
Sir Daniel Keyte Sandford (1798-1838), Scottish professor of Greek in the university of Glasgow, born at Edinburgh, second son of Daniel Sandford, Bishop of Edinburgh

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
Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result
State Records of South Australia. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) NAVARINO 1851. Retrieved http://www.slsa.sa.gov.au/BSA/1851Navarino.htm
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/clyde
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 26) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html