Irish surname evidence

Keane surname origin and Irish county evidence

The strongest processed county signals for Keane include Louth, Down, Cork. These are evidence clusters rather than proof that every Keane family began in one place.

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Name history

What the historical record says

Keane most often anglicises the Gaelic Ó Catháin, "descendant of Cathán," a diminutive of cath, "battle." A senior Cenél Eoghain sept of this name in County Derry gave rise mainly to the northern form O'Kane, while a separate Connacht-Munster sept produced most southern Keanes, especially in Galway, Clare and Waterford. In parts of the west the name can also stand for Mac Catháin. Keane is found across Ireland, most densely in the western counties.

Recorded Gaelic root: Ó Catháin

County evidence

Strongest county signals

  1. Louthprocessed surname/place signal
  2. Downprocessed surname/place signal
  3. Corkprocessed surname/place signal
  4. Londonderryprocessed surname/place signal
  5. Limerickprocessed surname/place signal
Read this carefully

What this evidence can—and cannot—prove

Census clustering can show where a surname appeared strongly at a historical point in time. It cannot identify your exact ancestor, prove a clan relationship, or assign a coat of arms. Use it as a source-backed starting point alongside family records and parish research.