KEEP
Keep
The surname Keep is of English origin, derived from the Old English word "cyep" or "cyepan," meaning a measure of liquid. The surname was commonly used to refer to a person who was in charge of the storage and distribution of ale or other liquid goods.
The Keep surname is most prevalent in the southern counties of England, particularly in areas such as Hampshire, Sussex, and Kent. The earliest recorded instances of the Keep surname date back to the 13th century, with references to individuals bearing the name in various legal documents and church records of the time.
Over the centuries, the Keep surname has seen various spellings and regional adaptations, including Keepe, Keppe, and Keepes. Individuals with the surname Keep have been recorded in a wide range of occupations, from agricultural workers to tradesmen and merchants.
Today, the Keep surname is relatively uncommon but continues to be found in England and in regions settled by British immigrants, such as North America and Australia. It remains a part of the rich tapestry of British surnames that reflect the country's linguistic and historical heritage.
There are approximately 1,932 people named Keep in the UK. That makes it roughly the 4,339th most common surname in Britain. Around 30 in a million people in Britain are named Keep.
Surname type: Location or geographical feature
Origin: English
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: England
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: English
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Matthew
- Michael
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
Female
- Christine
- Dawn
- Elizabeth
- Hannah
- Helen
- Jacqueline
- Jane
- Julia
- Karen
- Margaret
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan