As described in historical dictionaries

An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)

Bold, eager, daring; bright, fair; or may be the same as Kean.

Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.


Patronymica Britannica (1860)

KEEN. KEENE. Perhaps sometimes from sharpness of disposition ; but sometimes probabl)' the Irish O'Kean, sans 0'. Both Kene and Le Kene occur in H.R.

Lower, Mark A (1860) Patronymica Britannica: a dictionary of the family names of the United Kingdom. London: J.R. Smith. Public Domain.


Surname type: From given name or forename

Origin: Celtic

Region of origin: British Isles

Country of origin: Scotland

Religion of origin: Christian

Language of origin: Gaelic

BritishSurnames.uk is a Good Stuff website.