Map of Britain showing where the O'Keefe arms are recorded
The O'Keefe arms were recorded in Britain, c. 1700.
Arms such as these were typically recorded in Kent.
Kent sits between London and the short crossing to Europe, and the trade passing through made it wealthy. Merchant families bought land with that money, and it was landowners who took coats 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 Britain in this period.
William III of England
Sovereign of the period
William III of England
1694–1702
Reigning in Britain when the O'Keefe arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Britain
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 Britain.
Origin & History of the O'Keefe Family in Britain
The O'Keefe family name originates from the Gaelic tradition of Ireland, but its presence in Britain became notable by the turn of the eighteenth century. By 1700, members of the family had established themselves in the county of Kent, likely drawn to the region by the proximity to London and the expanding trade opportunities in the southeast of England. During this period, families moving from Ireland to Britain often integrated into local parish life, where their names were recorded in church registers during baptisms, marriages, and burials. While the name remained deeply connected to its Irish roots, the O'Keefe family in Kent adapted to the social and economic structures of English society. These early settlers contributed to the local community as laborers, tradespeople, and residents, marking the beginning of the family's long-standing history within the British Isles.
Coat of Arms & Family Crest Details
Symbols on this shield
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
Colours
Blue (Azure)Means: Loyalty and truth
Gold (Or)Means: Generosity
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. on a mount in base ppr. a lion ramp. or”
CorkBallymaguirk · Cork, c. 1797
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
Map of France showing where the O'Keefe arms are recorded
The O'Keefe arms were recorded in Cork, c. 1797.
Cork was the largest county in Ireland, with a great harbour and a wide farming hinterland. Both English settlers and older Irish families held land there, and holding land is what brought a family into the records.
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 France in this period.
How Arms Worked in France
In France, a coat of arms was a mark of honor that passed down through the male line to all legitimate descendants. Families often used the same shield without changes to show their shared heritage. If a branch wanted to stand out, they could add a small mark to their shield to show their specific place in the family tree.
Granting authority
The Juge d'armes de France acted as the official authority that regulated and verified coats of arms across the country.
How they got arms
Families typically inherited their arms from ancestors, though they could also receive them through royal grants or by proving their noble status.
Where arms were recorded
Coats of arms were officially recorded in the Armorial Général de France, which began its main collection in the year 1696.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cork.
Origin & History of the O'Keefe Family in France
The O’Keeffe name originates from the Gaelic Irish surname Ó Caoimh, which translates to descendant of Caoimh, a name meaning gentle or handsome. While the family is deeply rooted in the County Cork region of Ireland, their history includes a significant connection to France that began in the late seventeenth century. Following the defeat of the Jacobite forces in Ireland, many Irish families fled to France to serve in the Irish Brigade of the French army. These soldiers, often called the Wild Geese, integrated into French society and military life for several generations. By the time the family was firmly established in Cork in 1797, they were part of a lineage that had navigated both the traditional Gaelic structures of Munster and the complex political shifts of continental Europe. This movement between Ireland and France helped shape the family identity during a period of great upheaval.
Related Branches & Arms
Root word
Caomh
An Irish Gaelic term meaning gentle, kind, or handsome.
This name
O'KeefeA descendant of the noble or gentle one, originating from the Gaelic O Caoimh.
also spelled
Keefe
Okeef
Keeffe
Keif
Related arms
Keefevariant spelling
Documented Sources
J. B. Rietstap, Armorial Général, Gouda: G. B. van Goor Zonen, 1884–87
Canny, Nicholas, Making Ireland British, 1580–1650, 2001
The National Archives, Parish registers and records of the Church of England, Series reference: PROB 11
Kent Archives and Local History Centre, Parish registers of the Diocese of Canterbury, Series reference: PRC
Digital archive packCoat of arms PNG, gold border print PDF, vector SVG and the certificate of authenticity. Sent to your email in minutes.
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
trefoilPerpetuity, and the Trinity
ringFidelity, and a promise kept
mountThe ground held, and steadfastness upon it
lionCourage, strength and royalty
