Map of Ireland showing where the Keeney arms are recorded
The Keeney 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 Ireland when the Keeney 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 Keeney Family in Ireland
The family name Keeney is primarily rooted in Irish history, with its origins linked to the Gaelic name Ó Caoinigh. This name translates to mean a descendant of the gentle or comely one. By the mid-seventeenth century, the family had established a notable presence in Dublin, as evidenced by records from 1645. During this period, Dublin was a bustling center of political and social change, and families with this surname were often involved in the city's trade and civic life. As the name moved through generations, it evolved from its original Gaelic spelling into the phonetic version used today. The family likely moved through various regions of Ireland before settling in the capital, carrying their history and traditions with them as they integrated into the urban landscape of the 1600s.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Ó Caoin
Derived from the Gaelic word caoin meaning gentle, kind, or handsome.
This name
KeeneyA patronymic surname signifying a descendant of the gentle or handsome one.
also spelled
Keny
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Woulfe, Patrick. Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish Names and Surnames. 1923
MacLysaght, Edward. The Surnames of Ireland. 1969
National Archives of Ireland, Civil Survey of the County of Dublin. 1654–1656
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
fessThe military belt, and readiness to serve
eagleNobility, strength and a keen mind
