Surname Keys - Meaning and Origin

Tracing my Roots with the iGENEA DNA Test: A Review on Discovering the Keys Surname History

Recently, I embarked on a fascinating journey of self-discovery and connection using the iGENEA DNA test. Learn about how the test revealed the ancient origins of my surname Keys and aided me in connecting with others who share my heritage across the world.

O. Keys

Keys: What does the surname Keys mean?

The origin of the name Keys can be traced back to the surname DeKaey which dates back to 12th century England. It is derived from the Olde English pre 7th Century word 'caege', meaning key. The name is thought to have been given to a person who held a prominent position in the castle, thus giving him the nickname 'Keys'.

In the eastern part of England, the name has been recorded in various spellings such as DeKay, Keyes, Kay, Kays, Keays and Key. In Ireland, the name is usually found in the variant spelling of MacEochaidh.

Keys is a surname that can be found throughout the British Isles and in various parts of America, especially in New England. In America, the name is often attributed to the original English settlers in the 1600s who crossed the Atlantic on the Mayflower. Alternatively, it is believed that the name spread to America when Welsh immigrants named Price settled in Pennsylvania.

The Keys are a proud family with a shared history. Whether it be in castle keepers of ages past or the hardy folk who braved a new world to start a better life, the Keys have continued to be a part of this great adventure.

Keys: Where does the name Keys come from?

The last name Keys is a common name found in many parts of the world today. It is particularly prominent in the United States, where many people bearing the name have emigrated from various parts of Europe. Variants of the surname are found in countries such as England, Scotland, and Ireland.

In the United States, the last name Keys is most commonly found in the southern states. In the northeast, the name is often seen in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York. In the Midwest, it is not uncommon to find individuals with the last name in states such as Michigan, Ohio, and Indiana. The name can also be found in the western states of California, Nevada, and Arizona.

Despite the large population of people with the last name Keys in the United States, there are also many individuals with the surname living in places like Canada, Australia, and South Africa.

Overall, the last name Keys is a very common one in the modern world today. Its prevalence in many parts of the world speaks to the global history of immigration and the spread of families and cultures across the world.

Variations of the surname Keys

Keys is a commonly used surname found in many cultures and can have different variations and spellings depending on the background of the family. Variations and spellings of Keys include Keyes, Keyse, MacKey, Mackie, Keeys, Keyz, and Kees. Keys can also be a shortened version of other last names such as McKay, Mackey, or McKinney.

The Keys surname is of English origin and is thought to be a habitational name that derived from any of the various locations called Key or Keyes in England. These sites were likely named for incremental families that lived there. For example, High Key in West Yorkshire was derived from Old English elements “hai”, meaning high, and “cēg”, meaning corner.

Keyes is another variant of the Keys surname, found primarily in England and Ireland. In England, Keyes may have been derived from the Old English nickname “Cege,” meaning joke or sport. Given as a surname to those who had a jovial personality, Keyes may have been an occupational name for someone who worked in a tea-house, inn, or public house. In Ireland, the Keyes surname is thought to be derived from the Irish surname MacAoidh or McKeogh, which were derived from the Gaelic personal name Aedh, meaning “fire.”

MacKey is another variant of Keys which is the anglicized version of the Scottish Gaelic Mac Aoidh, meaning son of Aoidh. This was used as a surname by the Scottish Clan MacDonald of Clanranald. Another form is Mackie, meaning “son of an unruly one” which derived from the Old Gaelic name Maci “lazy” or “careless.” Keeys is the modernized spelling of the surname Kees, derived from the German for “goat” or “show.” Last but not least, Keyz is an alternate spelling of Keys and may also be derived from the habitational name Keys.

Famous people with the name Keys

• Alicia Keys: a 15-time Grammy Award-winning American singer-songwriter and actress.
• Aleicia Keys: Alicia's sister and a marketer, entrepreneur and model.
• Mark Keys: a former college football player for the University of Pittsburgh.
• Clay Keys: an American photographer and documentary filmmaker.
• Tanjareen Martin: an American actress and comedian known for using the stage name "keys".
• Terry Keys: an American singer and songwriter best known for being a member of the popular country music group Alabama.
• Peyton Keys: a Brazilian actress and model.
• Ishmael Keys: a businessman, politician, and former mayor of Cleveland, Ohio.
• Antoine Keys: a former American football linebacker.
• Cleonar Keys: a former American football defensive back.
• Charlye Keys: a former American football safety.
• Zavariah Keys: an American actress.
• Sam Keys: a singer-songwriter based in Los Angeles.
• Marc Keys: a professional slalom canoe athlete from the United States.
• Ethel Keys: a professional dancer from Trinidad and Tobago.
• Moses Keys: a former National Football League defensive tackle.
• Travis Keys: an American professional basketball player.
• Jameel Keys: a former college basketball player for the University of Richmond.
• Adrienne Keys: a former professional basketball player.
• Markey Keys: a Bahamian actress, comedian, and writer.
• Bernell Keys: a former American football defensive back.
• Tom Keys: a country music singer.
• Donte Keys: an American football cornerback.
• Julius Keys: a former college football player from Morgan State University.
• Javariah Keys: an American professional basketball player.

Other surnames

KeyKeyerleberKeyesKeyhlKeylKeylerKeymKeymelKeymerKeymesKeymlingKeyneskeynonKeyseKeyserKeysersKeysserKeyßerKeyton