| ![Show Contents]() Keeven History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
- Origins Available:
Ireland
Etymology of KeevenWhat does the name Keeven mean? The surname Keeven comes from the original Irish Gaelic name Ó Geibheannaigh or Mac Geibheannaigh. 1 Early Origins of the Keeven familyThe surname Keeven was first found in County Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, which is the principal homeland of the sept O Geibheannaigh. The O Geibheannaigh sept belonged to the Ui Maine (Hy Many) and descended from Geibheannach, the son of a Hy Many chief slain in 971. There was also a County Fermanagh sept called Mac Geibheannaigh mentioned in the Annals of Loch Ce in 1308. Early History of the Keeven familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Keeven research. Another 73 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1590 and 1599 are included under the topic Early Keeven History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Keeven Spelling VariationsWithin the archives researched, many different spelling variations of the surname Keeven were found. These included One reason for the many variations is that scribes and church officials often spelled an individual's name as it sounded. This imprecise method often led to many versions. Keaveney, Keveney, Kevany, Geaveny, Geaney, Geane, Gaine, Gainey, O'Keaveney, O'Geaney and many more. Early Notables of the Keeven familyMore information is included under the topic Early Keeven Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Keeven familyThe 19th century saw a great wave of Irish families leaving Ireland for the distant shores of North America and Australia. These families often left their homeland hungry, penniless, and destitute due to the policies of England. Those Irish immigrants that survived the long sea passage initially settled on the eastern seaboard of the continent. Some, however, moved north to a then infant Canada as United Empire Loyalists after ironically serving with the English in the American War of Independence. Others that remained in America later joined the westward migration in search of land. The greatest influx of Irish immigrants, though, came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Thousands left Ireland at this time for North America, and those who arrived were immediately put to work building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. In fact, the foundations of today's powerful nations of the United States and Canada were to a larger degree built by the Irish. Archival documents indicate that members of the Keeven family relocated to North American shores quite early: William Gainey, who settled in Maryland in 1673; Samuel and Alice Gaine, who immigrated to Nova Scotia in 1750; Hannah, Margaret, and William Keveney, who arrived in New York in 1805.
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: Turris fortis mihi Deus
Motto Translation: God is a tower of strength to me.
- MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
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