NameCensus.

UK surname

Keay

A locational surname derived from a place in Scotland called Keay.

In the 1881 census there were 1,282 people recorded with the Keay surname, ranking it #3,184 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 1,721, ranked #3,627, down from #3,184 in 1881.

The strongest historical links point to Forfar, London parishes and Edinburgh. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include Newark and Sherwood, Luncarty and Dunkeld and Wolverhampton.

Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Keay is 1,807 in 1999. Compared with 1881, the name has grown by 34.2%.

1881 census count

1,282

Ranked #3,184

Modern count

1,721

2016, ranked #3,627

Peak year

1999

1,807 bearers

Map years

9

1851 to 2016

Key insights

  • Keay had 1,282 recorded bearers in 1881, making it the #3,184 surname in that year.
  • The latest modern count shown here is 1,721 in 2016, ranked #3,627.
  • Within the historical census years, the highest count was 1,695 in 1901.
  • The contemporary neighbourhood profile most associated with the surname is Ageing Communities.

Keay surname distribution map

The map shows where the Keay surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.

Distribution map

Keay surname density by area, 1881 census.

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Lower densityMedium densityHigh density

Timeline

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Keay over time

The table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.

Year Period Count Rank
1851 historical 952 #2,917
1861 historical 1,001 #2,787
1881 historical 1,282 #3,184
1891 historical 1,456 #3,012
1901 historical 1,695 #3,046
1911 historical 1,072 #4,323
1997 modern 1,614 #3,674
1998 modern 1,787 #3,468
1999 modern 1,807 #3,462
2000 modern 1,751 #3,549
2001 modern 1,709 #3,565
2002 modern 1,723 #3,611
2003 modern 1,735 #3,510
2004 modern 1,739 #3,501
2005 modern 1,727 #3,493
2006 modern 1,703 #3,539
2007 modern 1,728 #3,527
2008 modern 1,761 #3,502
2009 modern 1,781 #3,541
2010 modern 1,793 #3,583
2011 modern 1,763 #3,586
2012 modern 1,729 #3,593
2013 modern 1,749 #3,610
2014 modern 1,758 #3,607
2015 modern 1,739 #3,609
2016 modern 1,721 #3,627

Geography

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Where Keays are most common

Historical parish links are strongest around Forfar, London parishes, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry and Kilrenny. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.

The modern local-area list points to Newark and Sherwood, Luncarty and Dunkeld, Wolverhampton, Montrose North and Shropshire. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.

Some modern areas include a three-digit suffix, such as Leeds 110. The suffix is a small-area code, so it stays in the table while the prose uses the plain place name.

Top historical parishes

Rank Parish Area
1 Forfar Forfar
2 London parishes London 3
3 Edinburgh Edinburgh
4 Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry Forfar
5 Kilrenny Fife

Top modern areas

Rank Area District
1 Newark and Sherwood 006 Newark and Sherwood
2 Luncarty and Dunkeld Perth and Kinross
3 Wolverhampton 029 Wolverhampton
4 Montrose North Angus
5 Shropshire 005 Shropshire

Forenames

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First names often paired with Keay

These lists show first names that appear often with the Keay surname in historical and recent records.

Modern profile

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Neighbourhood profile for Keay

Modern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Keay, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.

These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.

The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.

UK neighbourhood type

UK Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities

Group

Ageing Communities

Nationally, the Keay surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as Ageing Communities, within Suburbanites and Peri-Urbanities. This does not mean every Keay household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.

Read profile summary

Group profile

Many residents are of normal retirement age or above and live in communal establishments, and there are few dependent children. The dominant property type is a mix of retirement flats and detached houses. Those in work are likely to be employed in managerial and professional occupations, and many residents are educated to degree level. Levels of owner occupation are high, but the private rental sector is also present. Rural locations predominate.

Wider pattern

Pervasive throughout the UK, members of this Supergroup typically own (or are buying) their detached, semi-detached or terraced homes. They are also typically educated to A Level/Highers or degree level and work in skilled or professional occupations. Typically born in the UK, some families have children, although the median adult age is above 45 and some property has become under-occupied after children have left home. This Supergroup is pervasive not only in suburban locations, but also in neighbourhoods at or beyond the edge of cities that adjoin rural parts of the country.

London neighbourhood type

London Output Area Classification

Supergroup

Central Connected Professionals and Managers

Group

Senior Professionals

Within London, Keay is most associated with areas classed as Senior Professionals, part of Central Connected Professionals and Managers. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.

Read profile summary

Group profile

These very central neighbourhoods house residents whose ages are more skewed towards older age cohorts than elsewhere in the Supergroup. Few households have young children. Rates of illness are low. Indian ethnicity is rare compared to the Supergroup mean. Property under occupation is more common, despite the centrality of neighbourhoods, and more residents live in communal establishments than elsewhere in the Supergroup.

Wider London pattern

Adult residents of these neighbourhoods are typically aged 25 to 44, working full-time in professional, managerial or associate professional occupations. There are few families with dependent children. The predominantly Inner London neighbourhoods have an international character, including many residents born elsewhere in Europe alongside high numbers of individuals identifying as of Chinese ethnicity. Many individuals are never married, childless and/or living alone. Above average numbers of individuals, likely to be full-time students, live in communal establishments. Elsewhere, privately rented flats are the dominant housing type. Residents of these areas are well-qualified, with a significant number holding Level 4 or above qualifications. There is a correspondingly high level of individuals employed full-time in professional, managerial and associated professional or technical occupations. Employing industries are financial, real estate, professional, administration, and, to a lesser degree, transport and communications. Unemployment is uncommon.

Healthy neighbourhoods

Access to healthy assets and hazards

Keay is most concentrated in decile 1 for access to healthy assets and hazards. This places the surname towards the less healthy end of the index.

Lower deciles point towards weaker access to healthy assets or stronger exposure to local hazards. Higher deciles point towards stronger access and fewer hazards.

1
Lower access Higher access

Neighbourhood deprivation

Index of Multiple Deprivation

Keay falls in decile 6 for neighbourhood deprivation. This puts the surname near the middle of the scale.

Decile 1 represents the more deprived end of the scale. Decile 10 represents the less deprived end.

6
More deprived Less deprived

Broadband speed

Fixed broadband download speed

The modern neighbourhood pattern for Keay is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of 30-40 mbit/s.

The scale below places that band in context, from slower local download bands through to faster ones.

6
Slower band Faster band

Area snapshot

Ethnic group estimate

Most common ethnic group estimate
White - British

This describes the area pattern most associated with Keay, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.

Meaning and origin of Keay

The surname KEAY is of English origin, tracing its roots back to the medieval era, specifically in the counties of Lancashire and Yorkshire. It is derived from the Old English word "ceag," meaning "key," which was likely used as a nickname for someone who held an important position or had access to keys.

The earliest recorded instance of the name dates back to the 13th century, appearing in the Pipe Rolls of Lancashire in 1292 as "Richard de Key." This suggests that the name may have initially been a locational surname, referring to someone who resided near a prominent key-shaped landmark or a place named Key.

During the 14th century, the name appeared in various spellings, such as "Keye," "Keay," and "Kaye," reflecting the variations in pronunciation and spelling practices of the time. In 1379, the Poll Tax records of Yorkshire mentioned a "Johannes Keye," indicating the presence of the name in that region.

The Domesday Book, the remarkable survey of England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086, does not contain any direct references to the surname KEAY. However, it does mention several place names that may have contributed to the eventual formation of the surname, such as "Keighley" in Yorkshire and "Key Street" in Lancashire.

Notable individuals bearing the surname KEAY throughout history include:

1. Sir John Keay (1578-1659), an English politician who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1641. 2. Alexander Keay (1744-1819), a Scottish painter known for his landscapes and portraits. 3. John Keay (1831-1908), a British explorer and colonial administrator who served in India and Burma. 4. Jane Keay (1849-1924), a British suffragist and activist for women's rights. 5. John Keay (born 1941), a British historian and writer, best known for his works on the history of India and the British Empire.

While the surname KEAY may have originated from a humble nickname or locational reference, it has been carried by individuals who have left their mark across various fields, from politics and art to exploration and advocacy. The name's enduring legacy serves as a testament to its rich historical roots and the diverse contributions of those who bore it.

Sourced from namecensus.com.

1881 census detail

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Keay families in the 1881 census

These tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Keay surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.

Top counties

Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Angus leads with 206 Keays recorded in 1881 and an index of 17.84x.

County Total Index
Angus 206 17.84x
Perthshire 198 35.39x
Staffordshire 170 4.04x
Fife 148 20.05x
Shropshire 106 9.84x
Lancashire 69 0.47x
Middlesex 52 0.42x
Warwickshire 41 1.30x
Lanarkshire 40 0.99x
Midlothian 32 1.92x
Yorkshire 24 0.19x
Sussex 20 0.95x
Surrey 19 0.31x
Herefordshire 17 3.33x
Cheshire 16 0.58x
Aberdeenshire 13 1.13x
Hampshire 12 0.47x
Renfrewshire 12 1.24x
Kent 10 0.24x
Leicestershire 9 0.65x
Cumberland 8 0.75x
Lincolnshire 8 0.40x
Nottinghamshire 7 0.42x
Durham 5 0.13x
Denbighshire 4 0.85x
Glamorgan 4 0.18x
Norfolk 4 0.21x
Worcestershire 4 0.25x
Brecknockshire 3 1.20x
Hertfordshire 3 0.35x
Dumfriesshire 2 0.73x
Essex 2 0.08x
Argyllshire 1 0.29x
Ayrshire 1 0.11x
Banffshire 1 0.39x
Cambridgeshire 1 0.13x
Dunbartonshire 1 0.30x
Flintshire 1 0.30x
Northumberland 1 0.05x
Selkirkshire 1 0.89x
Shetland 1 0.79x
Westmorland 1 0.37x

Top districts and towns

Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Dundee in Angus leads with 88 Keays recorded in 1881 and an index of 20.41x.

Place Total Index
Dundee 88 20.41x
Kilrenny 47 344.32x
Liff Benvie 32 18.25x
Forfar 29 46.37x
Perth East Church 28 53.08x
Prees 26 198.17x
Walsall Foreign 26 11.96x
Ferry Port On Craig 25 205.93x
Perth West Church 23 86.63x
Birmingham 22 2.10x
Blairgowrie 20 90.38x
West Bromwich 20 8.30x
Aston 18 2.08x
Govan 18 1.81x
Enfield 16 19.56x
Brighton 15 3.54x
Barony 14 1.37x
Monifieth 14 34.31x
North Leith 14 18.11x
Edinburgh St Cuthberts 13 1.93x
St Pancras London 13 1.30x
Stoke Upon Trent 13 2.91x
Newburn 12 810.81x
Dysart 11 22.13x
Handsworth 11 10.61x
Madeley 11 27.86x
Scone 11 110.66x
Attercliffe Cum Darnall 10 8.69x
Darlaston 10 17.19x
Forgan 10 70.72x
Inchture 10 359.71x
Kinclaven 10 395.26x
Liverpool 10 1.11x
Monzie 10 311.53x
St Vigeans 10 16.04x
Cathcart 9 17.22x
Edmonton 9 8.96x
Kirkmichael 9 247.93x
Leicester St Margaret 9 2.67x
Tibbermore 9 112.22x
Trentham 9 25.15x
Walton On Hill 9 11.23x
Wednesbury 9 8.56x
Hereford All Sts 8 34.16x
Hereford St Peter 8 58.57x
Methven 8 97.56x
St Andrews 8 23.82x
Tipton 8 6.21x
Upton Magna 8 404.04x
Wednesfield 8 12.92x
Wellington 8 13.22x
Bilston 7 8.58x
Caputh 7 79.55x
Great Crosby 7 17.36x
Little Dunkeld 7 73.76x
Longforgan 7 88.50x
Newhills 7 29.61x
Pelsall 7 55.96x
Torryburn 7 220.13x
Willenhall 7 8.88x
Woolwich 7 4.45x
Woore 7 245.61x
Anstruther Easter 6 112.57x
Crail 6 79.68x
Glasgow 6 0.84x
Hartley Wintney 6 78.13x
Hulme 6 1.94x
Kinnoull 6 40.79x
Newport 6 46.15x
Ogley Hay 6 68.65x
Perth St Pauls 6 46.30x
Shifnal 6 20.52x
Upper Broughton 6 428.57x
Abernethy 5 68.40x
Chadderton 5 6.91x
Clapham 5 3.21x
Great Grimsby 5 3.95x
Keele 5 111.86x
Newcastle Under Lyme 5 6.72x
Sedgley 5 3.20x

Top female names

These are the female first names most often recorded with the Keay surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
Mary 44
Sarah 34
Elizabeth 29
Annie 14
Jane 13
Ann 12
Ellen 11
Eliza 9
Margaret 9
Emma 7
Martha 7
Emily 6
Fanny 6
Alice 5
Anne 5
Frances 5
Julia 5
Lucy 5
Charlotte 4
Hannah 4
Jessie 4
Maria 4
Agnes 3
Edith 3
Esther 3
Gertrude 3
Harriet 3
Hellen 3
Maggie 3
Ada 2
Amelia 2
Catherine 2
Clara 2
Ethel 2
Katherine 2
Lizzie 2
Louisa 2
Lydia 2
Minnie 2
Nina 2
Rebecca 2
Adina 1
Amanda 1
Betsy 1
Cecilia 1
Elizebeth 1
Elizth. 1
Ester 1
Kate 1
Lavinia 1

Top male names

These are the male first names most often recorded with the Keay surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.

Name Count
William 44
John 39
Thomas 20
George 17
Joseph 16
James 14
Edward 12
Richard 12
Charles 10
Harry 9
Henry 8
Robert 7
Alexander 6
David 5
Arthur 4
Albert 3
Alfred 3
Frank 3
Frederick 3
Peter 3
Benjamin 2
Chas. 2
Edwin 2
Ernest 2
Fred 2
Noah 2
Philip 2
Quinton 2
Samuel 2
Walter 2
Wm. 2
Allen 1
Benj. 1
Bertrand 1
Cornelius 1
Edwd.Rd. 1
Enoch 1
Ethelbert 1
Fernand 1
Francis 1
Fredk. 1
Geo. 1
Gorge 1
Isaac 1
Julias 1
Kennett 1
Lewis 1
Louis 1
Mark 1
Reuben 1

FAQ

Keay surname: questions and answers

How common was the Keay surname in 1881?

In 1881, 1,282 people were recorded with the Keay surname. That placed it at #3,184 in the surname rankings for that year.

How common is the Keay surname today?

The latest modern count shown here is 1,721 in 2016. That gives Keay a modern rank of #3,627.

What does the Keay surname mean?

A locational surname derived from a place in Scotland called Keay.

What does the Keay map show?

The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Keay bearers relative to the surrounding population.

What records is this surname page based on?

The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.