Surname Keane - Meaning and Origin

A Genetic Journey: Illuminative Insights into the Keane Surname through iGENEA DNA Test

My iGENEA DNA test unveiled fascinating scientific insights about the origins and ancient affiliations of my surname - Keane. The results linked my family history back to Celtic Ireland, further asserted by significant genetic markers.

Q. Keane

Keane: What does the surname Keane mean?

The last name Keane has Irish origins and is derived from the Gaelic name "O’Catháin" , the family name of Irish chieftains in the region of Ulster. The prefix "O'" implies "descendant of," while "Catháin" is derived from "Cath," meaning "battle," conveying the meaning of "descendant of the warrior". The name gradually transformed into O'Keane and finally Keane over centuries. It suggests that the initial bearers of the name possibly held a reputation for their fighting capabilities. It's also worth noting that the name has different spellings like Kane, Keene and so on, owing to regional variations and Anglicization. Nonetheless, all these variants hark back to the same origin and connote the similar sense of warrior descent.

Keane: Where does the name Keane come from?

The last name Keane is of Irish origin. It comes from the Gaelic "O'Cathain" or "Mac Cathain," which translates to "son of Cathán." The character Cathán is believed to be a diminutive of the name Cath, meaning 'battle'. The O'Kanes from County Derry and the Keanes from County Galway were among several independent septs in Ireland. In modern times, the name Keane is particularly common in Ireland itself, but due to historical emigration, it has also spread to other English-speaking countries like the United States, Australia, United Kingdom and Canada. Nevertheless, it is most prevalent and dense in Ireland today.

Variations of the surname Keane

Keane is an Irish surname derived from the Gaelic name "Ó Cathain." It has various spellings, variants, and derivations. These include: Kane, O'Keane, O'Kane, O'Cahan, Cahan, Kean, Keene, Keegan, and Cahane. Some of these variants reflect anglicized versions of the original Gaelic name.

The name Kane is particularly common in Northern Ireland, while Keane is more frequently found in County Galway and the province of Munster. O'Keane and O'Kane are typical prefaced versions of the name adding a level of patronymic address, meaning 'descendant of Cathain.' Kean and Keene are simplified versions while Keegan adds a dynamic, phonetic twist.

Further alternative spellings include Kayne, Keayne, and Keynes, representing phonetic interpretations of the name. Changes in the spelling of surnames occurred due to medieval scribes and church officials recording names as they were pronounced, causing many variations in the spelling of the same name within a single document.

These variants and others trace back to the same Gaelic ancestor, identifying the wide diaspora of this Irish surname. The meaning of the name itself comes from "cath," meaning "battle," indicating a warrior lineage.

Famous people with the name Keane

• Helen Keane, a prominent music manager and producer.
• Margaret Keane, an artist well-known for her "big-eyed" paintings.
• Roy Keane, a former Irish soccer player and present football manager.
• Brian Keane, an American composer and producer of music for television and films.
• Martin Keane, an Irish hotelier and publican.
• Glen Keane, a notable animator for Walt Disney Animation Studios.
• Kealan Patrick Keane, a distinguished Irish camogie player.
• John Keane, a well-known English composer of film music.
• Robert Keane, founder and CEO of Vistaprint.
• John B. Keane, an acclaimed Irish playwright and novelist.
• Bil Keane, the American cartoonist famous for the comic strip The Family Circus.
• Dolores Keane, an Irish folk singer.
• Tom Keane, a songwriter and music producer.
• Ray Keane, an Irish theater director and writer.
• Maurice Keane, the former group chief executive of Bank of Ireland.
• Brian Keane, an American golfer.
• Tommy Keane, an Irish musician.
• Edward Keane, a Hollywood character actor.
• George Keane, former English footballer.
• Michael Keane, English professional footballer.

Other surnames

KeanKeanerKeaneyKeany