Surname Keel - Meaning and Origin
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Keel: What does the surname Keel mean?
The last name Keel has a few different possible origins. It is generally believed to be a variation of the surname Kelleher, which is derived from two Irish names: Ó Cathail and Mac Giolla Cheara. These names are both combinations of words meaning “son of Cathel” and “son of the devotee of [the Irish god] Ceardha” respectively. Kelleher is also an Irish name that derives from anglicized versions of Irish words meaning “storm” and “slender”. It is not certain which of these phrases was the original source of the last name, though the language of the region points to the former. In addition, as a variant of the last name Kelleher, Keel also carries the same meanings.
The surname often refers to one of the original families of the English name Kelleher: those belonging to County Cork in the province of Munster. In the United Kingdom, the earliest records of the name Keel can be found in Lancashire dating from the 16th century. In Australia, the first Keels can be documented from the mid-19th century, as the British colonies expanded to the southern continent.
The last name Keel is carried by families around the world, though the regions with the highest concentration remain Ireland and Australia. It is still used as a surname in the United Kingdom and Ireland today. As a final note, the variations of the last name may have further meanings. In some cases, the surname may have indicated a person who was a blacksmith by trade.
Order DNA origin analysisKeel: Where does the name Keel come from?
The last name Keel is most commonly found in the United States, especially in the central and southern regions. The first of the Keel surname in America was John Keel, who immigrated to the Virginia Colony in 1645. Since then, the Keel surname has spread throughout the US and is especially prevalent in states such as Georgia, Tennessee, and Alabama.
In Tennessee, the family can be traced back to the Revolutionary War patriot Zachariah Keel, who served in the American militia. Keel is also considered one of the oldest families found in Wilson County, Tennessee, with the Keels first settling in the area in the late 1700s.
In Georgia, Keel families can be found in Greene County, Camak, and Macon and were likely among the original settlers of the state.
The Keel name can be found all across the United States, including in the states of California, Florida, Oklahoma, and Texas. In the Midwest, Keel families can be found in Kansas, Nebraska, Illinois, Missouri, and Minnesota. Despite the variety of states, the majority of Keel surnames can be found in the southern part of the United States.
Variations of the surname Keel
The surname Keel is a patronymic surname derived from a short form of given names beginning with the Old English pre-7th century 'Cael' which translates to "bald or cheerful." The name has a number of variants, spellings, and denominations and has been found in both England and Scotland.
In England, the spellings of the name have reflected geographically influenced dialects such as “Keel”, “Keal”, “Keely”, and “Keell”. In Scotland, the name is typically spelt as “Keell” or “Kell”. There are also numerous spelling variations at different times such as “Keale”, “Keall”, and “Keil”.
The occurs as the surname spelled Keel, Kelle, Kele, Kail, Kahl, Kel, Kele, Kiel, Kielle, Keal, Keeles, Keeley, and Keell. Variations in the spelling of the same name may have occurred due to the phonetic translation of the name in different languages.
Surnames derived from this same origin include: Kill, Kyle, Kail, and Keyl.
The name Keel is of Norman origin. It was brought to England in the wake of the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is an occupational name referring to a chandler or dealer in wax or candles, from the Middle English “kele” meaning "wax”.
It is also possibly a topographic name for someone who lived near a bridge or stream, from the Middle English “kele” meaning "stream". Finally, it could also have been a locational name for those who originated from Kelly, a hamlet in the parish of Ings, near Grange in Cumberland.
A final variation of the Keel surname may have had its origin in the English and Scottish and Irish word "gaill" which means "stranger."
Famous people with the name Keel
- Wayne Keel: American country music singer and songwriter.
- Johnathan Keel: British TV writer and presenter noted for his work on The Gadget Show.
- Hank Keel: American actor and producer, most notably known for his role in The Big Valley TV series.
- Robert Keel: American jazz guitarist, composer and arranger, active since the 1950s.
- Ricky Keel: American singer, songwriter and guitarist and founding member of the rock band Out of the Gray.
- Jodie Keel: American actress, best known for her roles in Grey’s Anatomy and The Bold and the Beautiful.
- Lawrence Keel: Canadian actor and producer best known for his role in the Canadian musical comedy movie Fish Out of Water.
- Jason Keel: American journalist and news anchor, most notably associated with ABC News.
- Clarence Keel: American professional basketball player, who played in the NBA, for the Portland Trail Blazers.
- Richard Keel: American actor and screenwriter best known for his roles in White Chicks and Planet 51.