Surname Kean - Meaning and Origin

Kean: What does the surname Kean mean?

The last name Kean is of Irish origin and can be understood to mean "ancient" or "distant". It is derived from the Gaelic O'Cianain, which was a personal name meaning "ancient" or "long-lasting”. Over time, this name got anglicized to Kean. It is also sometimes presented as Keane or Kane. The Keans were a part of a sept, which was a branch of a large and significant family, and were known to have hailed from County Derry in Ireland. Like many other Irish surnames, Kean traveled to other parts of the world, including Scotland, England, Canada, and America as a result of immigration, often spurred by conditions such as the Great Famine. Each variant of the surname has slightly different yet related meanings based on geographical location and dialect. For instance, in Scotland, Kean means "fighter", while in England it is often associated with a "sharp" or "piercing" aspect, reflecting a person of keen insight or perception. Despite these differences, the Irish origin stands as the most recognized and commonly attributed meaning for the surname Kean.

Kean: Where does the name Kean come from?

The surname Kean is of Irish origin and originates from the Gaelic name "O'Cathain", meaning the male descendant of Cathan. Cathan is a personal name composed of the elements "cath", meaning battle, and "an", a diminutive suffix. Therefore, the whole surname can translate to "little battler" or "fighting warrior". The Kean family was a part of the Irish aristocracy, holding a family seat in county Londonderry, before the Anglo-Normans invaded in the 12th century. While Kean can be found in many parts of the world due to the dispersion of the Irish diaspora, it is particularly prevalent in Ireland and countries with significant Irish immigrant populations such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia.

Variations of the surname Kean

The surname Kean is associated with Irish, Scottish, and Manx origins. Variations and similar surnames can be found in numerous forms due to regional differences, pronunciation, and anglicization. Some prevalent variants include Keane, Keen, Keene, Kane, Kain, Cain, Caine, and Cane. In some cases, it could also appear as O'Kean or O'Keane, as the prefix "O'" signifies a descendant of, and was commonly used in Irish surnames.

The spelling variations, such as Keane or Keen can sometimes occur due to phonetic spellings at the time when many people couldn't read or write, therefore, the surname was written down as it sounded.

The similar surname Kane (and variants like Kain, Cain, and Cane) may also be of the same root as Kean in some instances, originating from the Gaelic name "Cathán" which means a warrior or battler. However, these surnames can also have separate unique roots (from Hebrew, for example) and not always relate to Kean.

All these surnames have multiple origins and the association can depend on individual family history and genealogy. Therefore, tracing back ancestry is the most accurate way to determine the origin and variation of the surname Kean.

Famous people with the name Kean

• Michael Kean: An American actor known for his role in the television series "The Donna Reed Show."
• Edmund Kean: A celebrated British Shakespearean stage actor during the 19th century.
• Thomas Kean: An American politician who served as the Governor of New Jersey from 1982 to 1990, and was the Chairman of the 9/11 Commission.
• Charles Kean: An English actor and theatre manager, son of Edmund Kean.
• Anna Kean: An American film actress and stuntwoman.
• Daniel Kean: A Canadian film and television actor, known for his roles in "Lost Girl" and "Murdoch Mysteries."
• James Kean: A British actor who has appeared in several TV series including "Casualty" and "EastEnders."
• Robert Kean: An American Republican Party politician who served in the United States House of Representatives.
• John Kean: An American lawyer, banker, and politician who represented New Jersey in the U.S. House of Representatives and in the U.S. Senate.
• Thomas Kean Jr.: An American Republican politician who served as a New Jersey State Senator.
• Kean Etro: Italian fashion designer, co-founder of the luxury fashion house Etro.
• Emma Kean: New Zealand field hockey player.
• Gilly Kean: A notable British artist.

Other surnames

KeachKeachieKeadianKeadyKeaferKeaganKeaganeKeagenKeaghoKeaghoeKeaghryKeagneyKeahanKeaheryKealaaghanKeallyKealyKeamoKeaneKeanerKeaneyKeanyKearKearinKearinsKearlKearleyKearnKearneyKearns