KEY
Key
Key is a surname of English origin that has been traced back to medieval England. The surname is derived from the Old English word "cæg", meaning "key," and was used as an occupational name for a maker or keeper of keys.
Distribution and Variants
The Key surname is found throughout the United Kingdom, with concentrations in counties such as Devon, Cornwall, and Yorkshire. Variants of the surname include Kee, Kay, and Keyes.
Notable Individuals
Francis Scott Key
One of the most famous bearers of the Key surname is Francis Scott Key (1779-1843), an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet who wrote the lyrics to the United States national anthem, "The Star-Spangled Banner."
Ellen Key
Another notable individual with the Key surname is Ellen Key (1849-1926), a Swedish feminist, writer, and social reformer known for her advocacy of women's rights and progressive educational theories.
Summary
In summary, the Key surname is a longstanding English name that has been borne by individuals who may have been key makers or associated with the trade of locksmithing. Notable figures with the Key surname have made significant contributions to literature, law, and social reform.
There are approximately 7,837 people named Key in the UK. That makes it roughly the 1,200th most common surname in Britain. Around 120 in a million people in Britain are named Key.
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
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Richard
- Robert
- Simon
- Stephen
Female
- Alison
- Carole
- Christine
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Patricia
- Rebecca
- Sarah
- Susan