Surname Kehoe - Meaning and Origin

Kehoe: What does the surname Kehoe mean?

The surname Kehoe is of Irish origin. It's an anglicized version of the Gaelic name "Mac Eochaidh," which translates to "son of Eochaidh." The latter name, "Eochaidh," is derived from the Old Irish elements "each" meaning "horse" and "aidh" meaning "fire," so the surname is sometimes interpreted to mean "son of the fiery horse." This surname is common in the Southeastern region of Ireland, particularly in counties Wexford and Wicklow. As a family name, Kehoe is an example of a patronymic naming system, which is based on the given name of a male ancestor. Over time, it has been spelled in several ways, including Kehoe, Keogh, MacKeogh and others. It's important to note that surname interpretations can vary and may also depend on regional and historical factors.

Kehoe: Where does the name Kehoe come from?

The last name Kehoe originated from Ireland and it is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Eochaidh", which means "son of Eochaidh" and can be translated as "son of horse rider". This surname is common in the southeastern parts of Ireland, specifically in counties Wexford and Wicklow. Additionally, there was a significant migration of Irish people to other countries during the 19th century due to the Great Famine. As a result, the surname Kehoe is also found in countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, England, and Scotland. Today, it remains more commonly found in Ireland and metropolitan areas in the U.S., particularly New York, that have a high concentration of people with Irish ancestry.

Variations of the surname Kehoe

The surname Kehoe is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Eochaidh," which means son of Eochaidh, a personal name based on "each," which translates to horse.

Variants and derivations of the surname Kehoe include Keho, Kaho, Keogh, Keohoe, McKeogh, MacEochaidh, Hoe, Hoey, and Hoy. Another variant is Keyho. Some of these forms could exist due to differences in pronunciation across different Irish dialects, leading to variation in spelling when transcribed to English.

In some instances, the prefix (Mac or Mc) which means "son of" may be dropped, leading to names like Eochaidh being used as a surname. Additionally, as with many Irish surnames, Kehoe also faced anglicization when Irish families emigrated to English-speaking countries, resulting in further variations and adaptations of the name.

There can also be regional variations of the name across Ireland, with certain spellings being more common in specific areas. For example, Keogh is more commonly found in Leinster, while Kehoe is often seen in Wexford. As a result, the surname can provide some insight into a family's geographical heritage within Ireland.

Famous people with the name Kehoe

• John Kehoe: John Kehoe is a world-renowned business and life strategist and the author of numerous books on goal achievement, meditation, and personal development.
• Francis Kehoe: Lieutenant General Francis Kehoe was a key figure in the U.S. Army during The Vietnam War.
• Michael Kehoe: Michael Kehoe is an English actor who is best known for his role as Private Gordon Bennett in the BBC miniseries Band of Brothers.
• Annette Kehoe: Annette Kehoe is a British Olympic field hockey player who competed in the 2012 Summer Olympics as part of the Great British women’s field hockey team.
• Patrick Kehoe: Patrick Kehoe is a British comedian who has appeared on television programmes such as 8 out of 10 cats and Mock the week.
• Daniel Kehoe: Daniel Kehoe is an Australian former professional rugby league player who played for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks.
• William Kehoe: William Kehoe was a founding member of the Australian Rugby Union.
• Ian Kehoe: Ian Kehoe is an Irish journalist and author who is the current finance editor of The Sunday Times.
• Thomas Kehoe: Thomas Kehoe is a former American football running back who played for the Pittsburgh Steelers.
• Anne Kehoe: Anne Kehoe is a retired American basketball coach who served as head coach of the Old Dominion Lady Monarchs.

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