Kaye, variations Kay, Keay, Key.
I'm from the line of Keay. Keay is pronounced like the letter 'K' - so many think it would have the same derivation as Kay, Kaye.The main source of this name is from the occupation of someone who either made keys, or held the ceremonial office of a key bearer. (Old English caeg - key)
, but after that you can take your pick.
Kaye is also:
- the topographical name of someone who lived by a wharf or who was employed on one, from the old Middle English.
- In old French - Kay(e) for quay it was the nickname for a jackdaw.
- In Middle English, Kay (from Ka) was the nickname for a left handed man from the Danish dialect term kei - for left, which was taken in the 13th century into the dialects of Lancashire and Cheshire.
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DNA testingIf we try and look for very early Keay families, we need to open up a little on the spelling! A Kaye is known from very early times in Yorkshire - you can read more in the olde booke by Collins, The English Baronetage. (remember "s" was often written as "f")
Sir John Kaye of Woodesham is recorded as being made a knight by King Charles I, in 1641.
Woodesham or Woodsome is the seat of Sir Kaye: it's near Kirkheaton in the Huddersfield area. I looked around for more information about a Hall, perhaps - and I found this page which told me where it was. The Hall is now a Golf Clubhouse, Woodsome Hall Golf Club - go visit that site for photos & a few pages on the Hall's history. Anyone played a round of golf there?
A relative of Sir John Kaye was the lady who married into the Shuttleworth family of Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham, Lancs. Her family motto was displayed together with that of her husband in the Hall (you can see a lovely image of that, here). The Hall is now a National Trust property, and (although I didn't know of the link to my name at the time!) I have visited; it's very interesting.
Coat of Arms, and Motto.
There are several sites out there on the interweb which will sell you just about anything with a crest printed on it. Several of them claim to have a Coat of Arms or Crest for the Keay family name - e.g. this one at House of Names.
There is a family motto with this crest; "Kynd Kynn Knawne Kepe" which has been translated as "Keep your own kin-kind". But - I have not found any information which tells me what language this could be. Gaelic with all those K's?? Latin? Olde English??
Sir John Kaye of Woodesham is recorded as being made a knight by King Charles I, in 1641.
Woodesham or Woodsome is the seat of Sir Kaye: it's near Kirkheaton in the Huddersfield area. I looked around for more information about a Hall, perhaps - and I found this page which told me where it was. The Hall is now a Golf Clubhouse, Woodsome Hall Golf Club - go visit that site for photos & a few pages on the Hall's history. Anyone played a round of golf there?
A relative of Sir John Kaye was the lady who married into the Shuttleworth family of Gawthorpe Hall, Padiham, Lancs. Her family motto was displayed together with that of her husband in the Hall (you can see a lovely image of that, here). The Hall is now a National Trust property, and (although I didn't know of the link to my name at the time!) I have visited; it's very interesting.
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Coat of Arms, and Motto.
There are several sites out there on the interweb which will sell you just about anything with a crest printed on it. Several of them claim to have a Coat of Arms or Crest for the Keay family name - e.g. this one at House of Names.
There is a family motto with this crest; "Kynd Kynn Knawne Kepe" which has been translated as "Keep your own kin-kind". But - I have not found any information which tells me what language this could be. Gaelic with all those K's?? Latin? Olde English??
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If you are male & can trace your name back through several generations of Keays, you may be interested in "Y-chromosome" DNA studies. Women, meanwhile can trace the maternal line by participating in "mitochondrial DNA" studies.
See the following links which explain more.
- A "primer" (forgive the pun) on how DNA can help those interested in their genealogy.
- Dr Key of Virginia has performed a limited study of some Keay/Kay/Kaye men (as only men carry the Y-chromosome). He found a high degree of similarity, which showed they were likely to have a common ancestor. It seems the ancestor may have been a Viking!
- Also more on this page.
- A group here, SMGF are an interesting research group - no longer doing free tests, but you can enter your data and help their work.
- Tests are available from many places - see the list on Genuki. It's not cheap! But cheaper than it was.
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Famous Keay Folk (some not so famous)
An interesting little article here about 3 men named John Kay. One who invented the flying shuttle used in weaving; one who invented the spinning frame which Arkwright made famous; and one the modern-day Economist from Edinburgh who is the author of the article.
There are lots more of course:
- Mistress of Cecil Parkinson, Sarah Keays (no, no, no)
- Writer & Journalist, John Keay (his parents were Scots)
- New Zealand-born violinist, Nigel Keay
- Scottish Footballer turned mortgage broker, Jack Keay
- A main-belt Asteroid, 5007 Keay (what, you haven't heard of 5007 Keay?)
- Journalist/Author on space science, Keay Davidson - here using Keay as a first name!
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