UK surname
An uncommon variant of the English surname Keith, believed to have Scottish origins meaning "wood" or "forest".
In the 1881 census there were 25 people recorded with the Keeth surname, ranking it #30,077 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 2, ranked #38,825, down from #30,077 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Silkstone, Govan Combination and Ealing, Chiswick. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Keeth is 113 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 92.0%.
1881 census count
25
Ranked #30,077
Modern count
2
2016, ranked #38,825
Peak year
1861
113 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Keeth surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Keeth surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe 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 | 62 | #22,232 |
| 1861 | historical | 113 | #19,151 |
| 1881 | historical | 25 | #30,077 |
| 1891 | historical | 62 | #28,991 |
| 1901 | historical | 19 | #31,911 |
| 1911 | historical | 7 | #33,083 |
| 1997 | modern | 2 | #38,557 |
| 1998 | modern | 3 | #38,304 |
| 1999 | modern | 2 | #38,551 |
| 2000 | modern | 4 | #38,004 |
| 2001 | modern | 3 | #38,091 |
| 2002 | modern | 2 | #38,400 |
| 2003 | modern | 1 | #38,735 |
| 2004 | modern | 2 | #38,464 |
| 2005 | modern | 2 | #38,532 |
| 2006 | modern | 2 | #38,590 |
| 2007 | modern | 3 | #38,372 |
| 2008 | modern | 4 | #38,216 |
| 2009 | modern | 4 | #38,287 |
| 2010 | modern | 2 | #38,775 |
| 2011 | modern | 3 | #38,546 |
| 2012 | modern | 3 | #38,530 |
| 2013 | modern | 1 | #39,008 |
| 2014 | modern | 1 | #39,020 |
| 2015 | modern | 1 | #39,021 |
| 2016 | modern | 2 | #38,825 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Silkstone, Govan Combination, Ealing, Chiswick, St Dunstan Stepney and Headley. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Silkstone | Yorkshire, West Riding |
| 2 | Govan Combination | Lanark |
| 3 | Ealing, Chiswick | Middlesex (Exclusive Of London Districts) |
| 4 | St Dunstan Stepney | London (East Districts) |
| 5 | Headley | Surrey |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Keeth surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Keeth, 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
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Keeth surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Keeth household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Keeth is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Keeth is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Keeth, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname "KEETH" is believed to have originated in England during the medieval period. It is thought to be a variant spelling of the more common surname "Keith," which is derived from the place name Keith in East Lothian, Scotland. The name itself is believed to come from the Brittonic word "ced," meaning "woods" or "forest."
The earliest recorded instance of the surname "KEETH" appears in the Domesday Book of 1086, which was a comprehensive survey of land ownership in England commissioned by William the Conqueror. The name is listed as "Kethe," suggesting that the spelling "KEETH" may have emerged later as a variation.
One of the earliest recorded individuals with the surname "KEETH" was Sir John Keeth, who lived in the late 13th century and was a prominent knight and landowner in Northumberland, England. Another notable figure was Robert Keeth, a merchant and alderman in the City of London during the 15th century.
In the 16th century, the surname "KEETH" was found in various records across England, including the Parish Registers of Yorkshire, which mention a Thomas Keeth who was born in 1542. The name was also present in the town of Keeth (now spelled Keith) in Banffshire, Scotland, where it is believed to have originated.
One of the most famous individuals with the surname "KEETH" was Sir William Keeth (1669-1749), a British naval officer who served as a Vice-Admiral in the Royal Navy and was involved in several important naval battles during the War of the Spanish Succession and the War of the Quadruple Alliance.
Another notable figure was John Keeth (1711-1772), a Scottish Presbyterian minister and author who served as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland in 1765. He was known for his writings on theology and church history.
In the 19th century, the surname "KEETH" was found among Scottish immigrants who settled in various parts of the United States and Canada. One such individual was Alexander Keeth (1823-1902), a Scottish-born farmer and entrepreneur who became a prominent figure in the early settlement of Manitoba, Canada.
While the surname "KEETH" is relatively uncommon today, it has a rich history that spans several centuries and can be traced back to its origins in medieval England and Scotland. The variations in spelling and the presence of the name in historical records and notable individuals reflect the diverse paths that this surname has taken over time.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Keeth surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Middlesex leads with 6 Keeths recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.37x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Middlesex | 6 | 2.37x |
| Somerset | 6 | 14.70x |
| Surrey | 6 | 4.86x |
| Suffolk | 5 | 16.19x |
| Kent | 1 | 1.16x |
| Northumberland | 1 | 2.65x |
| Royal Navy | 1 | 33.11x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Bedminster in Somerset leads with 6 Keeths recorded in 1881 and an index of 156.25x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Bedminster | 6 | 156.25x |
| Battersea | 5 | 53.59x |
| Leiston | 5 | 2380.95x |
| Willesden | 5 | 209.21x |
| Islington London | 1 | 4.07x |
| Lambeth | 1 | 4.52x |
| Minster In Sheppey | 1 | 69.93x |
| Westgate | 1 | 42.74x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Keeth surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Keeth surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Keeth households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 5 |
| 2nd Engineer | 1 |
| Apprentice | 1 |
| Church Furnisher (Hos F) | 1 |
| Dressmaker | 1 |
| Engine Fitter | 1 |
| Engineer (Employing 2 Men & 2 Boys) (E & M) | 1 |
| Gardener (N D) | 1 |
| Licenced Hawker | 1 |
| None | 1 |
| Shepherd | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 25 people were recorded with the Keeth surname. That placed it at #30,077 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 2 in 2016. That gives Keeth a modern rank of #38,825.
An uncommon variant of the English surname Keith, believed to have Scottish origins meaning "wood" or "forest".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Keeth bearers relative to the surrounding population.
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.