| ![Show Contents]() Keaveny History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Ireland
Etymology of KeavenyWhat does the name Keaveny mean? The Irish name Keaveny has a long Gaelic heritage to its credit. The original Gaelic form of the name Keaveny is "Ó Gamhna." However, the name was also used as an Anglicized form by the septs of Ó Caibheanaigh, Mac Conghamhna, and Mac Carrghamhna.1 Early Origins of the Keaveny familyThe surname Keaveny was first found in County Roscommon (Irish: Ros Comáin) located in central Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they held a family seat from ancient times. Early History of the Keaveny familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Keaveny research. Another 69 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1172 and 1270 are included under the topic Early Keaveny History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Keaveny Spelling VariationsPeople who were accounted for by scribes and church officials often had their name recorded many different ways because pronunciation was the only guide those scribes and church officials had to go by. This resulted in the problem of one person's name being recorded under several different variations, creating the illusion of more than one person. Among the many spelling variations of the surname Keaveny that are preserved in archival documents are Gaffney, Gafney, Gaffeney, Gaffeny, Gafferny, Gaffin, Gaffnay, Gaffny, Caulfields, Keveneys and many more. Early Notables of the Keaveny familyMore information is included under the topic Early Keaveny Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
| Keaveny migration to the United States | + |
Irish families left their homeland in astonishing numbers during the 19th century in search of a better life. Although individual reasons vary, most of these Irish families suffered from extreme poverty, lack of work opportunities, and exorbitant rents in their homeland. Many decided to travel to Australia or North America in the hopes of finding greater opportunities and land. The Irish immigrants that came to North America initially settled on the East Coast, often in major centers such as Boston or New York. But like the many other cultures to settle in North America, the Irish traveled to almost any region they felt held greater promise; as a result, many Irish with gold fever moved all the way out to the Pacific coast. Others before that time left for land along the St. Lawrence River and the Niagara Peninsula, or the Maritimes as United Empire Loyalists, for many Irish did choose to side with the English during the American War of Independence. The earliest wave of Irish migration, however, occurred during the Great Potato Famine of the 1840s. An examination of early immigration and passenger lists has revealed many people bearing the Keaveny name:
Keaveny Settlers in United States in the 19th Century- Patrick Keaveny, who was naturalized in Pennsylvania around 1853
- Agnes Keaveny, aged 20, who immigrated to the United States from Cashterea Co. Doscommon, in 1897
Keaveny Settlers in United States in the 20th Century- Celia Keaveny, aged 21, who immigrated to the United States from Roscommon, in 1904
- Bridget Keaveny, aged 30, who settled in America from Templeboy, Sligo, in 1905
- Ellen Keaveny, aged 17, who landed in America from Ballymoe, Ireland, in 1906
- Daniel Keaveny, aged 22, who settled in America from Glenamaddy, Ireland, in 1907
- James Keaveny, aged 22, who landed in America from Williamstown, Ireland, in 1907
- ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
| Keaveny migration to Canada | + |
Some of the first settlers of this family name were: Keaveny Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century- Miss. Ann Keaveny, aged 3 who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Ajax" departing 16th April 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 23rd June 1847 but she died on board 2
| Contemporary Notables of the name Keaveny (post 1700) | + |
- Joseph Keaveny, American Democratic politician from Missouri, Member of the Missouri Senate from the 4th district (2009-)
- Tony M Keaveny, professor of Mechanical Engineering at the University of California, Berkeley
- Shaun William Keaveny (b. 1972), British broadcaster on digital radio station BBC Radio 6 Music
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: God is my leader
- MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
- Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 81)
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