A record of documented arms, meaning and origin, researched for the Keen family lines. Documented in 2 countries.
Reg. 6165 · English, J–L
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Silver (Argent)Means: Peace and sincerity
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
Black (Sable)Means: Constancy
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Az. a talbot pass. or, on a chief indented ar. three crosses flory sa”
SuffolkNorth Cove · Suffolk, c. 1562
Where the Keen Arms Were Recorded
Suffolk
Map of England showing where the Keen arms are recorded
The Keen arms were recorded in Suffolk, c. 1562.
Suffolk was wool country, and its cloth towns were among the wealthiest in England. Clothier families bought manors with their profits, and holding a manor was the ordinary route to a coat of arms.
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.
Elizabeth I of England
Sovereign of the period
Elizabeth I of England
1558–1603
Reigning in England when the Keen 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 Suffolk.
Origin & History of the Keen Family in England
The surname Keen originates from the Old English word *cene*, which translates to brave, bold, or keen-witted. During the Middle Ages, this name was likely used as a descriptive nickname for a person known for their sharp intelligence or courageous spirit. By the time the family established a documented presence in Suffolk in 1562, the name had transitioned from a simple descriptor into a hereditary surname passed down through generations. Families with this name were typically part of the rural working class, often living as farmers or tradespeople in the small villages of East Anglia. Because Suffolk was a hub for the wool trade during the sixteenth century, many individuals bearing the name were likely involved in the local agricultural and textile economies that defined the region’s history. Over time, the spelling of the name evolved from early variations like Kene or Keene into the modern form, reflecting the way English surnames were standardized as literacy and record-keeping became more common in parish life.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
cross symbolChristian faith and service
ermineDignity and rank
Colours
ErmineMeans: Dignity
Counter-ermine (Ermines)Means: Dignity
Historical info
Source
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Blazon (the actual original written record)
“Erm. a cross patoncée ermines”
Irelandc. 1645
Where the Keen Arms Were Recorded
Dublin
Map of Ireland showing where the Keen arms are recorded
The Keen arms were recorded in Ireland, c. 1645.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Dublin.
Dublin was the seat of government in Ireland and the place where grants were sought and recorded. Families with business at the castle or the courts settled nearby, and settling there put their arms on record.
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 Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in England when the Keen arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Ireland.
Origin & History of the Keen Family in Ireland
The family name Keen has a long and storied presence in Ireland, with documented evidence placing members of the family in Dublin as early as 1645. During this period, the name was often associated with families of English origin who settled in the capital during the seventeenth century. As Dublin grew into a major hub for trade and administration, the Keen family became integrated into the urban fabric of the city. While the name likely shares roots with older Gaelic surnames that were anglicized over time, the specific records from the mid-1600s highlight the family as part of the shifting social landscape of post-reformation Ireland. These early settlers navigated a time of significant political change, establishing a foundation for the name that would persist in Irish records for centuries to come.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
cene
Old English word meaning bold, brave, or fierce.
This name
KeenA nickname for a courageous or sharp-witted individual.
also spelled
Kene
Keane
Related arms
Keanvariant spelling
Keanevariant spelling
Kenevariant spelling
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Reaney, P.H., A Dictionary of English Surnames, 1991
Cottle, Basil, The Penguin Dictionary of Surnames, 1967
Suffolk Archives, Parish Registers of Suffolk, 1562
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chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
chiefAuthority, wisdom and dominion
cross symbolChristian faith and service
greyhoundCourage, vigilance and loyalty
ermineDignity and rank
