Map of England showing where the Keay arms are recorded
The Keay arms were recorded in Gloucester, c. 1620.
Gloucestershire had good farmland, a cloth trade in its valleys and a river carrying goods to Bristol. All three made money, and money bought the estates that brought arms with them.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in England in this period.
James VI and I
Sovereign of the period
James VI and I
1603–1625
Reigning in England when the Keay arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in England
English heraldry allowed arms to be shared by all legitimate descendants of the original owner. These symbols were treated as personal property that moved through the generations to all children. While the eldest son kept the original design, other family members could use the same shield without needing to change it or register their own unique versions.
Granting authority
The College of Arms in London has regulated the use of coats of arms throughout England and Wales since 1484.
How they got arms
Families typically obtained their coats of arms through a formal grant from the Crown or by proving their ancient right to them.
Where arms were recorded
All official coats of arms are recorded in the registers kept at the College of Arms, which date back to the fifteenth century.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Gloucester.
Origin & History of the Keay Family in England
The surname Keay is believed to have originated in Scotland as a variation of the name Kay, which often served as a nickname for a person with a lively or cheerful personality. By the early 17th century, members of the family had moved across the Atlantic to establish a presence in the American colonies. Historical records confirm that individuals bearing this name were living in Gloucester, Massachusetts, by 1620. These early settlers were part of the initial wave of migration that helped shape the development of the New England coastline. As they settled into their new environment, the family became integrated into the local community, participating in the daily labor and governance required to sustain the growing settlement during its most challenging formative years.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caius
A Latin personal name of uncertain etymology, possibly meaning rejoice.
This name
KeayA locative surname derived from a quay or wharf where goods were loaded and unloaded.
also spelled
Kaye
Kee
Keay
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Banks, Charles Edward, The Planters of the Commonwealth: A Study of the Emigrants and Emigrations in Colonial Times: 1620–1640, 1930
Babson, John J., History of the Town of Gloucester, Cape Ann, Including the Town of Rockport, 1860
Massachusetts State Archives, Colonial Records of the Massachusetts Bay Colony, 1620–1686
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
chevronProtection, and faithful service completed
ermineDignity and rank
keyGuardianship, and the office of a steward
