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Surname: Keefe
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Recorded in the spellings of O'Keefe, O'Keeffe, and occasionally Keefe,
this is an ancient Irish surname. The descent is from Art Caemh, chief of
the clan O'Keefe, and the son of Fionghuine, King of Munster, who died in
the year 902 a.d.. Originally the clan occupied territory throughout the
Glanmore and Fermoy areas of County Cork. Eventually it is said they were
driven further west by the Norman invaders after 1170, moving to Duhallow
where in time their lands were given the name Pobal O'Keeffe meaning the
O'Keeffe county. From the Gaelic the name translates as the "male descendant
of Caomh", a byname meaning noble or gentle. O'Keeffe ranks amongst the top
hundred surnames in Ireland, and unlike many O' names, is one which has
retained the prefix consistently through the centuries. It is however said
that the famous dramatist John O'Keeffe was for a time known as John Keefe.
Granted a benefit at Covent Garden in London in the year 1800, and a royal
pension in 1820, his works include "Merry Sherwood" and "Tony Lumpkin in
Town". The clan coat of arms depicts a gold lion rampant on a green shield
with two gold dexter hands erect. The first recorded spelling of the family
name is believed to be that of Father Eoghan O'Keeffe. He was the president
of the bards of Ireland, and appears in the records of North Cork, in 1680.
Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In
England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in
every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing
variants of the original spelling.
© Copyright: Name Orgin Research www.surnamedb.com 1980 - 2007
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