KEYS
Also recorded as Key'S, Key's
Keys
The surname Keys is a notable British surname with an intriguing history dating back centuries. It is derived from the Old English word "cyse," meaning "keys," indicative of a person who made keys or held a symbolic key function. The surname was likely bestowed upon keymakers, locksmiths, or individuals holding important positions.
Origins
The origins of the Keys surname can be traced back to medieval England, with records showing its presence in various regions across the country. The surname likely originated as an occupational name, denoting the profession of keymaking or locksmithing. Over time, individuals with the surname Keys would have passed it down through generations, leading to its establishment as a hereditary family name.
Distribution
The surname Keys can be found throughout the United Kingdom, with notable concentrations in regions such as England, Scotland, and Northern Ireland. Migration and dispersal patterns have led to the surname being present in various parts of the world, particularly in former British colonies and territories.
Notable Individuals
Over the centuries, individuals bearing the surname Keys have made significant contributions in various fields. Notable bearers of the Keys surname include:
- Richard Keys: A renowned sports presenter known for his work on British television, particularly in football broadcasting.
- Alicia Keys: American singer, songwriter, and actress with British lineage, known for her soulful music and powerful vocals.
- Geoff Keys: Notable historian and author specialising in British medieval history.
Legacy
The Keys surname continues to be passed down through generations, maintaining a sense of heritage and ancestry for modern descendants. Variants of the surname, such as Keyes or Keeys, may also be observed, reflecting regional dialects and historical spelling variations.
In conclusion, the Keys surname is a distinctive and enduring part of British heritage, representing a connection to the past and a legacy for future generations to cherish.
There are approximately 2,907 people named Keys in the UK. That makes it roughly the 3,064th most common surname in Britain. Around 45 in a million people in Britain are named Keys.
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Alan
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Richard
- Robert
- Stephen
- William
Female
- Anne
- Darlene
- Elizabeth
- Lisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Nicola
- Patricia
- Rachel
- Sarah
- Susan
- Valerie
Similar and related surnames
- Key
- Kies
- Kis
- Ky
- Kuy
- Kie
- Kye
- Kuys
- Kys
- Kuye
- Kyas
- Kesy
- Keya
- Keyse
- Caasi
- Cace
- Caci
- Cacio
- Caiazza
- Caiazzo
- Caioza
- Cais
- Caise
- Caissie
- Caiza
- Caous
- Cas
- Casa
- Casci
- Cascio
- Case
- Casi
- Casia
- Casie
- Casio
- Caso
- Cass
- Cassa
- Casse
- Cassee
- Cassi
- Cassie
- Casso
- Cassou
- Casu
- Cauci
- Causa
- Cause
- Causse
- Cauzo
- Caws
- Cawse
- Cays
- Caza
- Cazeau
- Coas
- Coase
- Coce
- Coes
- Coose
- Coossa
- Cooze
- Cos
- Cosa
- Cose
- Cosi
- Cosio
- Coss
- Cossa
- Cosse
- Cossi
- Cossie
- Cossou
- Cossu
- Couce
- Couse
- Couso
- Couss
- Cousseau
- Cows
- Cowse
- Cowss
- Coys
- Coyse
- Coz
- Coza
- Cozie
- Cozza
- Cozzi
- Cozzo
- Cuce
- Cuise
- Cuozzo
- Cusa
- Cuse
- Cusi
- Cusie
- Cuss
- Cusse
- Cussie
- Cuza
- Czyz
- Gaas
- Gace
- Gais
- Gaisie
- Gaize
- Gas
- Gasa
- Gase
- Gass
- Gasse
- Gasso
- Gasu
- Gasz
- Gauci
- Gaus
- Gause
- Gauss
- Gauza
- Gawse
- Gays
- Gaz
- Gaza
- Gaze
- Gazeau
- Gazi
- Gazo
- Gazsi
- Gazso
- Gazza
- Gazzi
- Ghais
- Ghasi
- Ghaus
- Ghause
- Ghazai
- Ghazi
- Ghazzaoui
- Ghazzi
- Ghez
- Gheza
- Ghezae
- Ghezai
- Ghezzi
- Ghezzo
- Ghiaci
- Ghias
- Ghiasi
- Ghiassi
- Ghiazi
- Ghisi
- Ghoos
- Ghose
- Ghous
- Ghouse
- Ghouze
- Ghozzi
- Goas
- Goaziou
- Goci
- Goes
- Goez
- Gois
- Goos
- Goose
- Gooz
- Goozee
- Gos
- Gosa
- Gosai
- Gose
- Gosi
- Goss
- Gossa
- Gossai
- Gosse
- Gosso
- Gosz
- Gous
- Gouse
- Gousseau
- Gouws
- Goyce
- Goys
- Goza
- Goze
- Gozo
- Gozz
- Gozzi
- Gozzo
- Guays
- Guci
- Guese
- Guess
- Guez
- Guias
- Guice
- Guis
- Guise
- Guisse
- Guiziou
- Guizzo
- Gus
- Gusa
- Gusai
- Gusau
- Guse
- Guss
- Guys
- Guz
- Guza
- Guze
- Guzi
- Guzu
- Guzzi
- Guzzo
- Kaas
- Kace
- Kaci
- Kaciu
- Kaes
- Kaese
- Kahsai
- Kais
- Kaisa
- Kaise
- Kaissi
- Kaos
- Kas
- Kasa
- Kasaei
- Kasai
- Kase
- Kasi
- Kasia
- Kaso
- Kass
- Kassa
- Kassae
- Kassaei
- Kassai
- Kasse
- Kassi
- Kassie
- Kasso
- Kassou
- Kasu
- Kasz
- Kasza
- Kaus
- Kause
- Kauss
- Kauz
- Kays
- Kayse
- Kayss
- Kaz
- Kaza
- Kaze
- Kazee
- Kazi
- Kazie
- Kaziu
- Keas
- Kease
- Keays
- Kece
- Keci
- Kees
- Keese
- Keess
- Keesz
- Keeys
- Keis
- Keise
- Keiss
- Keiza
- Kes
- Kesi
- Keso
- Kess
- Kesse
- Kessi
- Kessie
- Keszei
- Keus
- Kews
- Keza
- Kezi
- Kezzie
- Kiasi
- Kice
- Kiese
- Kiess
- Kiesz
- Kiiza
- Kios
- Kisa
- Kise
- Kiso
- Kiss
- Kissi
- Kisz
- Kizza
- Kizzie
- Koci
- Kois
- Koiza
- Koizi
- Koizia
- Koos
- Kos
- Kosa
- Kosai
- Kose
- Kosi
- Kosia
- Koso
- Koss
- Kosse
- Kosys
- Kosz
- Kouassi
- Kousa
- Kouse
- Koussa
- Koyce
- Koz
- Koza
- Kozo
- Kuce
- Kuci
- Kucio
- Kuhs
- Kuis
- Kuisys
- Kuosa
- Kus
- Kusa
- Kuse
- Kusi
- Kusia
- Kusio
- Kuss
- Kusz
- Kuz
- Kuza
- Kuze
- Kuzi
- Kuzia
- Kuzio
- Kuzu
- Kyse
- Qais
- Qazi
- Quaas
- Quas
- Quass
- Quazi
- Quiz
- Whykes
- Wycks
- Wygas
- Wykes
- Wyks
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.