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

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.

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