Surname Keavy - Meaning and Origin
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Keavy: What does the surname Keavy mean?
The last name Keavy is an Irish surname, thought to have originated in the province of Munster in south-eastern Ireland. Its meaning is unclear, though various interpretations exist.
One theory is that the surname is derived from Keeffe, an anglicisation of the Gaelic Mac Íomhair. It is believed to have either meant “son of a man from the Iveragh peninsula” or “son of the dark haired man”.
Alternatively, Keavy may be derived from the Gaelic Mac Eibheagain, which is said to mean “son of the descendant of Eibheag”. Eibheag was believed to be the name of a mythical druid.
The exact origin of the Keavy surname is uncertain, though the two theories outlined above are perhaps the most likely explanations. Research into the surname reveals that there have been persons with the Keavy name in Ireland since at least the 1600s, many of whom made a living by fishing, farming, and other outdoor activities.
Overall, the exact origins of the Keavy surname are unclear, though it is thought to have originated in Ireland. It may have derived from either Mac Íomhair, meaning “son of a man from the Iveragh peninsula”, or Mac Eibheagain, meaning “son of the descendant of Eibheag”. In any case, records suggest that it has been in use since the 1600s.
Order DNA origin analysisKeavy: Where does the name Keavy come from?
The surname Keavy is an Irish surname, derived from the old Gaelic name of O Cadhla, which is pronounced "Kay-lee". It is most commonly found in Ireland, in particular, in the province of Munster, as well as in the counties Donegal and Tipperary. In addition to those areas, it has also spread to other countries with Irish diaspora, such as the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States.
In the United States, the Keavy surname is most commonly found in the states of New York, Connecticut, Massachusetts, and California. In New York State, it is especially prominent in the boroughs of Brooklyn and Queens. In California, the surname is found mostly in Los Angeles, San Diego, and San Francisco.
In recent years, the surname Keavy has seen an increase in usage. It is popular among Irish-American families and has also seen a surge of interest in other countries due to its unique pronunciation and the novelty of the surname. It is a rarity on the international stage, however, and is rarely seen outside of English-speaking countries.
Variations of the surname Keavy
The most common variant of the surname Keavy is Kiely, which is an anglicised version of the Irish Gaelic surname "O'Cadhla". Other variants of the surname include: Kealy, Kiely, Keely, Keeley, Kiel, Kiele, Kielty, Keal, and Kealey.
The surname is quite old and has been found in various forms around Ireland since the Middle Ages. It is believed to have originated with O'Cadhla, a famous Irish chieftain from the ninth century. It is likely that descendants of this chieftain adopted different spellings for their name over the years, further diversifying the Keavy name.
The Keavy surname can also be found in various countries around the world. For example, some derivatives of the name have been found in the United States and in Canada, along with many other countries. In other countries, the Keavy name is spelled as Kieley, Key, and Ceeley.
Kiely is the most common surname variant in Ireland today, while Keavy is less common. Spelling mistakes are common for the surname, with variants like Keyly, Kiealey, Kielley, and Kielley being found in some cases.
Overall, the Keavy surname is quite old and has found many different variants all around the world. Different spellings of the name have emerged over the centuries, as the name has been passed down from generation to generation. The different spellings, variants, and surnames derived from the Keavy family illustrate the spread of the name over time.
Famous people with the name Keavy
- Mike Keavy: Comedian, musician, and author based in New York.
- Paul Keavy: Irish actor known for starring in the TV show The Tudors.
- Brian Keavy: Former professional basketball player for the National Basketball Association.
- Patrick Keavy: Irish actor best known for his role in the British television series, Father Ted.
- Eddie Keavy: Actor and stunt coordinator best known for his work on the films Red Dawn and Captain America.
- Susan Keavy: Former American fashion model and actress.
- Alison Keavy: Irish singer/songwriter and actress best known for her role in the film The Butterfly Tree.
- Anthony Keavy: American actor and producer best known for his recurring roles on the TV show Dallas.
- Andy Keavy: Former professional American football player who played for the Minnesota Vikings.
- Scott Keavy: American actor and musician best known for his roles in the films The Smurfs and Plush.