Show ContentsKayne History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Kayne

What does the name Kayne mean?

The surname Kayne is an old Irish name that originally appeared in Gaelic as Ó Cathain or Mac Cathain. This may be related to the ancient name Cahane, which signifies "Beloved." More likely, the surname came from the name Catháin, made up of the Gaelic "cath," or "battle;" and "án," or "one who;" thus the name referred to "the fighting one."

Early Origins of the Kayne family

The surname Kayne was first found in County Londonderry (Irish: Doire), a Northern Irish county also known as Derry, in the province of Ulster. There were two great septs of Ó Catháin, which were apparently quite distinct: Kane (O'Kane) in Ulster, and Keane in Munster and Connacht. A Gaelic family O'Kane emerged in County of Derry: these were the O'Kanes of Keenaght and Coleraine. The founder of this family, is said to be "Eogan," ancestor of the northern Hy Nials, and son of the Nine Hostages, King of Ireland, A.D. 379. The O'Cathain's came into prominence again in the twelfth century (they appear in the Annals of the Four Masters from 1170 onwards) and were next in command to the O'Neill Chieftans of Ulster. There is historical evidence that Dungiven Priory is the tomb of "Cooey-na-Gal O'Cahan," who died in 1385. They also possessed part of Antrim, ruling from the Castle of Dunseverick, which they held from circa 1000 AD to circa 1320 AD, regaining it again in the mid 1500s. The ruins of Dunseverick still remain.

Early History of the Kayne family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Kayne research. Another 131 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1196, 1617 and 1875 are included under the topic Early Kayne History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Kayne Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kane, Kayne, O'Kane, Cain, O'Cain and others.

Early Notables of the Kayne family

Another 29 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Kayne Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Kayne migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Kayne Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • William Kayne, who settled in Virginia in 1654

Kayne migration to Australia +

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

Kayne Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mary Kayne, aged 20, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Lady Macdonald" 1
  • Mary Kayne, aged 20, a farm servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Europa" 2

Contemporary Notables of the name Kayne (post 1700) +

  • J. J. Kayne, American Democratic Party politician, Presidential Elector for West Virginia, 1912 3
  • Johnathan Kayne Gillaspie (b. 1979), American fashion designer, specializing in eveningwear gowns
  • Kayne Pettifer (b. 1982), Australian rules footballer for the Richmond Football Club


  1. South Australian Register Monday 9th April 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Lady Macdonald 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/ladymacdonald1855.shtml
  2. South Australian Register Monday 14th May 1855. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) Europa 1855. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/europa1855.shtml
  3. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 6) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html


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