Key is an English and Dutch-language surname. Notable people with the surname include: * Al Key (1905-1976), aviator and mayor of Meridian, Mississippi *

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Alexander Key Alexander Hill Key (September 21, 1904 – July 25, 1979) was an American science fiction writer who primarily wrote children's literature. Early life Key was born in 1904 in LaPlatte, Maryland. His parents, Alexander Hill and Charlotte ...

(1904–1979), American science fiction writer *

Arden Key Arden Key Jr. (born May 3, 1996) is an American football outside linebacker for the Jacksonville Jaguars of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football at LSU, and was drafted by the Oakland Raiders in the third round of the 2 ...

(born 1996), American football player *

Bailie Key Bailie Jaye Key (born 16 March 1999) is a retired American artistic gymnast. She was a member of the gold-medal-winning team at the 2014 Pacific Rim Championships and was the 2013 U.S. Junior National Champion. Gymnastics career 2011-14: ...

(born 1999), American artistic gymnast, 2013 National Champion *

Berthold Wells Key Major-General Berthold Wells Key, (19 December 1895 – 26 September 1986), known as Billy Key, was a British Indian Army officer. Early life Born on 19 December 1895, the son of Dr J.M. Key, he was educated at Dulwich College in London and c ...

(1895–1986), British Indian Army officer *

cEvin Key Kevin William Crompton (born February 13, 1961), known professionally as cEvin Key, is a Canadian musician, songwriter, producer, and composer. He is best known as a member of the industrial music group Skinny Puppy, which he co-founded in 1982 ...

(born 1961), Canadian musician * Dana Key (1953–2010), American musician * Danny Key, English footballer * David M. Key (1824–1900), US Senator from Tennessee *

David McK. Key David McKendree Key (February 4, 1900 – July 15, 1988) of Tennessee, a descendant of David M. Key, served as United States Ambassador to Burma from April 1950 to October 1951, and later as the Assistant Secretary of State for International O ...

(1900–1988), diplomat from Tennessee *

Devon Key Devon Key (born October 28, 1997) is an American football safety for the Denver Broncos of the National Football League (NFL). He played college football for Western Kentucky and was signed by the Kansas City Chiefs as an undrafted free agent foll ...

(born 1997), American football player *

Ellen Key Ellen Karolina Sofia Key (; 11 December 1849 – 25 April 1926) was a Swedish difference feminist writer on many subjects in the fields of family life, ethics and education and was an important figure in the Modern Breakthrough movement. She was ...

(1849–1926), Swedish difference feminist writer *

Francis Scott Key Francis Scott Key (August 1, 1779January 11, 1843) was an American lawyer, author, and amateur poet from Frederick, Maryland, who wrote the lyrics for the American national anthem "The Star-Spangled Banner". Key observed the British bombardment ...

(1779–1843), author of the United States national anthem * Fred Key (1909-1971), Aviator * James L. Key (1867–1939), lawyer and twice Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia *

Jimmy Key James Edward Key (born April 22, 1961) is a former left-handed starting pitcher in Major League Baseball who played for the Toronto Blue Jays (1984–1992), New York Yankees (1993–1996), and Baltimore Orioles (1997–1998). His best personal y ...

(born 1961), James Edward Key, former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball *

John Key Sir John Phillip Key (born 9 August 1961) is a New Zealand retired politician who served as the 38th prime minister of New Zealand, Prime Minister of New Zealand from 2008 to 2016 and as Leader of the New Zealand National Party from 2006 to ...

(born 1961), former Prime Minister of New Zealand *

Sir John Key, 1st Baronet Sir John Key, 1st Baronet (16 August 1794 – 14 July 1858) was a wholesale stationer and Whig politician in England. He was elected Sheriff of the City of London in 1824 and Lord Mayor of London for two years, from 1830 to 1832. He was elected ...

(1794–1858), Lord Mayor of London 1830–1832, MP for City of London 1832–1833 *

John A. Key John Alexander Key (December 30, 1871 – March 4, 1954) was an American politician who served as a U.S. representative from Ohio for three terms from 1913 to 1919. Early life and career Born in Marion, Ohio, Key attended the public schools. ...

(1871–1954), American politician * John

Maurice Key (John) Maurice Key (4 June 1905 – 21 December 1984) was the Anglican Bishop of Sherborne then Truro in the third quarter of the 20th century. He was educated at Rossall School and Pembroke College, Cambridge and ordained in 1928. Beginning his ...

(1905–1984), Bishop of Sherborne then Truro *

John Ross Key John Ross Key (September 19, 1754 – October 11, 1821) was a lawyer, a commissioned officer in the Continental Army, a judge, and the father of writer Francis Scott Key. Early life Key was born in Redland, Frederick County, Maryland, t ...

(1754–1821), American lawyer and judge * Johnny Key (disambiguation) *

Kathleen Key Kathleen Key (born Kitty Lanahan; April 1, 1903 – December 22, 1954) was an American actress who achieved a brief period of fame during the silent era. She is best remembered for playing Tirzah in the 1925 film '' Ben-Hur''. Early life and ca ...

(1903–1954), American actress in the silent era, great-great-granddaughter of Francis Scott Key *

Keegan-Michael Key Keegan-Michael Key (born March 22, 1971) is an American actor, comedian, screenwriter, and producer. He co-created and co-starred alongside Jordan Peele in Comedy Central's sketch series ''Key & Peele'' (2012–2015) and co-starred in USA Netw ...

(born 1971), American actor, writer, and comedian *

Kelly Key Kelly de Almeida Afonso Freitas (born March 3, 1983), known for her stage name Kelly Key, is a Brazilian pop singer, songwriter and TV hostess. Biography 2001–04: Debut album, ''Do Meu Jeito'' and live album Key released her first, self ...

(born 1983), Kelly de Almeida Afonso Freitas, Portuguese-Brazilian pop singer * Kristin Key (born 1980), American comedian * Laurence Key (1895–1971), English cricketer *

Lieven de Key Lieven de Key (1560 – 17 July 1627) was a Dutch renaissance architect in the Netherlands, mostly known today for his works in Haarlem. His style is described by Simon Schama as Mannerist. Biography De Key was born in Ghent, and was already a w ...

(1560—1627), Dutch renaissance architect * Philip Key (U.S. politician), a Representative of the State of Maryland in the United States Congress from 1791 to 1792. *

Philip Barton Key (U.S. politician) Philip Barton Key (April 12, 1757 – July 28, 1815), was an American Loyalist during the American Revolutionary War and later was a United States Circuit Judge and Chief United States Circuit Judge of the United States circuit court for the Fo ...

, a Representative of the State of Maryland in the United States Congress from 1807 to 1812. * Philip Barton Key (U.S. District Attorney), murder victim in a controversial nineteenth-century trial *

Robert Key (cricketer) Robert William Trevor Key (born 12 May 1979) is an English former cricketer and cricket commentator who played international cricket in all formats for England and domestic cricket for Kent County Cricket Club. He is the current Managing Directo ...

(born 1979), English cricketer *

Robert Key (politician) Simon Robert Key (born 22 April 1945), known as Robert Key, is a Conservative Party politician in the United Kingdom. He is the former Member of Parliament (MP) for Salisbury, Wiltshire. He is also Chair of Governors at Salisbury Cathedral ...

(1945–2023), a British politician, the Conservative MP for Salisbury *

Ryan Key William Ryan Key (born December 17, 1979) is an American singer, songwriter, and musician. He is best known as the lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of the pop punk band Yellowcard. He is the owner/operator of a recording studio in Jacksonvil ...

(born 1979), William Ryan Key, American rock musician of the pop punk band Yellowcard * Samuel M. Key (born 1951), pen name of

Charles de Lint Charles de Lint (born December 22, 1951) is a Canadian writer of Dutch, Spanish, and Japanese ancestry. He is married to, and plays music with, MaryAnn Harris. Primarily a writer of fantasy fiction, he has composed works of urban fantasy, cont ...

, Canadian writer of Dutch origin *

Stephanie Key Stephanie Wendy Key (born 13 December 1954) is a former Australian politician who was a member of the South Australian House of Assembly for the Australian Labor Party from the 1997 election until her retirement in 2018, representing the elec ...

(born 1954), Australian politician and member of the South Australian House of Assembly *

Ted Key Ted Key (born Theodore Keyser; August 25, 1912 – May 3, 2008)
''The New York Times'', May 8, 2008 was a ...

(1912–2008), Theodore Keyser, American cartoonist and writer, creator of the cartoon panel Hazel * Thomas Key (disambiguation), several people with the same name *

Tim Key Timothy David Key (born September 1976) is an English poet, comedian, actor, screenwriter and radio personality. He is best known for playing Alan Partridge's sidekick Simon in '' Mid Morning Matters'', '' Alpha Papa'', and '' This Time'', as ...

(born 1976), English actor, writer, and performance poet * V. O. Key, Jr. (1908–1963), American political scientist and author *

Wilhelmine Key Wilhelmine "Minnie" Marie Enteman Key (February 22, 1872 – January 31, 1955) was an American geneticist. She was the first woman to gain a PhD in zoology from the University of Chicago, where she studied coloration in paper wasps. She contrib ...

(1872-1955), American geneticist

See also