O'Keeffe ( ga, Ó Caoimh), also O'Keefe, Keef, Keefe, Keeffe, Keifer or Keever is the name of an Irish

Gaelic Gaelic is an adjective that means "pertaining to the Gaels". As a noun it refers to the group of languages spoken by the Gaels, or to any one of the languages individually. Gaelic languages are spoken in Ireland, Scotland, the Isle of Man, and Ca ...

clan based most prominently in what is today County Cork, particularly around Fermoy and Duhallow. The name comes from ''caomh'', meaning "kind" or "gentle"; some reformed spellings present it as ''Ó Cuív'' and the feminine form of the original is ''Ní Chaoimh''. As the primary sept of the Eóganacht Glendamnach, the family were once Kings of Munster from the 6th to the 8th centuries.

Naming conventions

History

The original Caomh, from whom the family descend, lived in the early eleventh century, and was descended from Cathal mac Finguine, celebrated King of Munster and the most powerful Irish king of the first half of the 8th century. See the main article, Eóganachta, for more discussion, as well as Eóganacht Glendamnach, the specific sept of the family. The O'Keeffes are famous for claiming descent from the goddess

Clíodhna In Irish mythology, Clíodhna (Clídna, Clionadh, Clíodna, Clíona, transliterated to Cleena in English) is a Queen of the Banshees of the Tuatha Dé Danann. Clíodna of Carrigcleena is the potent banshee that rules as queen over the ''sidheog'' ...

and have a beloved story about her marriage to Caomh (Franklin, pp. 81 ff). Her sister Aibell competed for his affections but Clíodhna ultimately triumphed using sorcery. For all of their history the family has been strongly associated with County Cork. Originally the territory of the family lay along the banks of the Blackwater river, near modern Fermoy, and were active in the wars of the twelfth century between the

O'Conor The O'Conor family (Middle Irish: ''Ó Conchubhair''; Modern ga, Ó Conchúir) are an Irish noble house and were one of the most influential and distinguished royal houses in Ireland. The O'Conor family held the throne of the Kingdom of Co ...

s and the Eoghanacht dynasties of

Munster Munster ( gle, an Mhumhain or ) is one of the provinces of Ireland, in the south of Ireland. In early Ireland, the Kingdom of Munster was one of the kingdoms of Gaelic Ireland ruled by a "king of over-kings" ( ga, rí ruirech). Following the ...

. However, the arrival of the Normans displaced them, like so many others, and they moved west into the barony of Duhallow, where their territory became known, and is still known, as Pobal O'Keeffe, where the senior branch of the family had their seat at Dromagh in Dromtarriff Parish. The last chiefs of this branch were Domhnall O'Keeffe of Dromagh (d. c. 1655), who was prominent in the Catholic Rebellion of the 1640s, and his son

Captain Captain is a title, an appellative for the commanding officer of a military unit; the supreme leader of a navy ship, merchant ship, aeroplane, spacecraft, or other vessel; or the commander of a port, fire or police department, election precinct, e ...

Daniel O'Keeffe, who was killed fighting for King James at the Battle of Aughrim in 1691. The family estates were confiscated in 1703, and sold to the Hollow Blades Company. Even today, Pobal O'Keeffe is still the area in which the name is most common, with surrounding areas of County Cork also including many of the name. It remains relatively rare outside that county. In 1890, more than two-thirds of the births under the name are recorded in County Cork. Like many of the dispossessed Irish nobility, the O'Keeffes were active in the service of the Catholic monarchs of Europe. In 1740 Constantine O'Keeffe (born c. 1670) was admitted to the French aristocracy on the basis of his Irish pedigree, and his long service. The bearers of the surname "Cuif", found in the Champagne district of northern France, are descendants of O'Keeffe soldiers. The original spelling is with two fs (O'Keeffe), and church officials recorded names as they were wrongly spelled, then often resulting in the name of a single person being recorded under several spelling variations, such as ''O'Keefe'', ''Keefe'', ''Keeffe'', ''Keiffe'', and others

Ó Caoimh

* Brian Ó Cuív (Ó Caoimh) * Éamon Ó Cuív (born 1950), Irish politician

People named O'Keeffe

Alfred Henry O'Keeffe Alfred Henry O'Keeffe (21 July 1858 - 27 July 1941), was a notable New Zealand artist and art teacher, who spent the majority of his life in Dunedin. During the first quarter of the twentieth century, he was one of the few New Zealand artists to e ...

(1858–1941), New Zealand artist and art teacher *

Batt O'Keeffe Bartholomew O'Keeffe (born 2 April 1945) is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Innovation from 2010 to 2011, Minister for Education and Science from 2008 to 2010 and a Minister of State from ...

, (born 1945), Irish politician *

Ben O'Keeffe Ben O'Keeffe (born 3 January 1989) is a rugby union referee from New Zealand. He currently referees at domestic, Super Rugby and test match level. Domestic career O'Keeffe became a professional referee for the New Zealand Rugby Union (NZRU) i ...

, (born 1989), Doctor and New Zealand Professional Rugby Referee * Bob O'Keeffe (1881–1949), Irish hurler *

Ciarán O'Keeffe Ciarán James O'Keeffe (born 21 March 1971) is an English psychologist specialising in parapsychology and forensic psychology. Ciarán attended John Hampdon Grammar school in High Wycombe, Buckinghamshire and had a brief spell at High Wycombe Musi ...

(born 1971), English psychologist specialising in parapsychology and forensic psychology *

Corey O'Keeffe Corey James John O'Keeffe (born 5 June 1998) is a professional footballer who plays as a full back or midfielder for club Forest Green Rovers. O'Keeffe began his career with Birmingham City, made his senior debut in 2016, and spent time on lo ...

(born 1998), footballer *

Daniel O'Keeffe (judge) Daniel O'Keeffe, styled as Mr Justice Daniel O'Keeffe, was chairperson of the Standards in Public Office Commission from 11 February 2014 until 10 February 2020. He is a former Judge of the High Court (2008-2013). As Chairman of the Standards ...

(born 1943), barrister and Irish High Court judge *

Dan O'Keeffe Daniel Joseph O'Keeffe (2 June 1907 – 2 June 1967), known as "Danno", was an Irish Gaelic footballer, regarded by some as the greatest goalkeeper in the history of the sport. Career O'Keeffe was born in Fermoy, County Cork, but the family mo ...

(1907–1967), Irish footballer * Danny O'Keefe (born 1943), American singer-songwriter based in Seattle, Washington *

David O'Keeffe (lawyer) David O'Keeffe is an Irish lawyer. He is Emeritus Professor of European Law, University of London, Senior Counsel of Dentons international law firm and a part-time European administrative law judge. Practice As a practitioner, he specialized ...

, Irish jurist, professor of European law *

David O'Keeffe (footballer) David O'Keeffe (Born 20 February 1962) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Geelong and the Brisbane Bears in the Victorian/Australian Football League (VFL/AFL). Recruited locally, O'Keeffe was a member of the Geelong r ...

(born 1962), former Australian rules footballer *

Declan O'Keeffe Declan O'Keeffe (born 1972 in Rathmore, County Kerry, Rathmore, County Kerry) is an Irish people, Irish former Gaelic footballer who played at various times with his local clubs Rathmore GAA, Rathmore in Kerry and Clooney/Quin and St Josephs Do ...

(born 1972), retired Irish footballer *

Denis O'Keeffe Denis ‘Rookereen’ O’Keeffe was an Irish sportsperson. He played hurling with his local club Redmonds and was a member of the Cork senior inter-county team from 1900 until 1907. Playing career Club O’Keeffe played his club hurling with ...

, Irish hurler *

Dennis O'Keeffe Dennis O'Keeffe (1939–2014) was an English professor of social science at the University of Buckingham and editor of the ''Salisbury Review''. He was Education and Welfare Fellow at the Institute of Economic Affairs. In addition, he served on ...

, British professor of social science *

Eamonn O'Keefe Eamonn Gerard O'Keefe (born 13 October 1953) is an English-born Irish former professional footballer. He played as a forward, but in later years was moved into a midfield role. He moved from non-league Stalybridge Celtic to Plymouth Argyle, ...

, (born 1953) English-born Irish former footballer *

Eileen O'Keeffe Eileen O'Keeffe (born 31 May 1981 in Kilkenny) is a former female hammer thrower from Ireland. Her personal best throw of 73.21 metres, achieved in July 2007 at the national championships in Dublin, is the Irish records in athletics, Irish record ...

(born 1981), Irish former international hammer and discus thrower *

Eoin O'Keeffe Eoin O'Keeffe (born 20 April 1979) is an Irish composer and arranger. Biography O'Keeffe grew up in Clonmel, Ireland. As a member of his local youth band, he played clarinet and later trumpet, before spending some time as conductor and arranger ...

(born 1979), Irish composer based in the UK *

Frank O'Keeffe Francis Joseph Aloysius O'Keeffe (11 May 1896 – 26 March 1924) was an Australian first-class cricketer who played for New South Wales and Victoria. He was born in Waverley, Sydney. O'Keeffe played Sydney Grade Cricket for Waverley as ...

(1896–1924), Australian cricketer * Georgia O'Keeffe (1887–1986), American artist *

Ger O'Keeffe Ger O'Keeffe (born 1952 in Tralee, County Kerry) is an Irish former Gaelic footballer who played for Austin Stack's and at senior level for the Kerry county team between 1973 and 1982. He is currently a selector with the Kerry senior football ...

(born 1952), retired Irish footballer *

Hank O'Keeffe Henry J. O'Keeffe (December 12, 1923 – December 27, 2011) was an American professional basketball player. He played for the Syracuse Nationals in the National Basketball League and the Wilkes-Barre Barons in the American Basketball League. ...

(1923–2011), American basketball player * Irene O'Keeffe, Irish camogie player *

Jessy Keeffe Jessy Keeffe (born 17 July 1996) is a retired Australian rules footballer who played for Brisbane in the AFL Women's competition (AFLW). She was playing for Yeronga South Brisbane in the AFL Queensland Women's League (QWAFL) when she was draft ...

(born 1996), Australian rules footballer *

James O'Keeffe James Joseph O'Keeffe (1912 – 20 May 1986) was an Irish Fine Gael politician. A merchant and company director, he was a member of the Seanad from 1956 to 1961. During this period he also stood unsuccessfully for Dáil Éireann in the Dub ...

(1912–1986), Irish Fine Gael politician *

Jim O'Keeffe Jim O'Keeffe (born 31 March 1941) is a former Irish Fine Gael politician who served as Minister of State from 1981 to 1982 and again from 982 to 1987. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cork South-West constituency from 1977 to 2011. O' ...

(born 1941), Irish politician * Jonathan O'Keeffe (born 1977), birth name of Irish actor Jonathan Rhys Meyers *

Kain O'Keeffe Kain O'Keeffe (born 22 October 1987) is an Australian actor, known for his appearances in Australian television dramas and minor roles in films. Career O'Keeffe was born in Sydney, Australia on 22 October 1987. Between 2003-05 O'Keefe filmed t ...

(born 1987), Australian actor * Kerry O'Keeffe (born 1949), Australian cricketer and sports commentator *

Kevin O'Keeffe (footballer) Kevin O'Keeffe (born 22 October 1952) is a former Australian rules footballer who played with Fitzroy in the VFL during the 1970s. O'Keeffe, a half back, represented Victoria in an interstate match against Western Australia at the 1975 Knock ...

(born 1952), former Australian rules footballer *

Kristin Bair O'Keeffe Kristin Bair O'Keeffe (born 1966) is an American novelist. Born in 1966 in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, she graduated from Bethel Park High School. She earned a Bachelor of Arts from the Indiana University and a Master of Fine Arts from the Columbi ...

(born 1966) American novelist *

Lachlan Keeffe Lachlan Keeffe (born 14 April 1990) is a professional Australian rules footballer playing for the Greater Western Sydney Giants in the Australian Football League (AFL). He previously played for the Collingwood Football Club from 2009 to 201 ...

(born 1990), Australian rules footballer *

Laurence O'Keeffe Peter Laurence O'Keeffe (9 July 1931 – 2 May 2003) was a British diplomat who was ambassador to Czechoslovakia during the Velvet Revolution. Career O'Keeffe was educated at St Francis Xavier's College (Liverpool) and University College, Oxfo ...

(1931–2003), British diplomat, ambassador to Czechoslovakia during the 'Velvet Revolution' *

Miles O'Keeffe Miles O'Keeffe (born June 20, 1954) is an American film and television actor. O'Keeffe got his first big break playing the title role in the 1981 version of '' Tarzan, the Ape Man''. Youth O'Keeffe was born in Ripley, Tennessee. A star footb ...

(born 1954), American actor *

Molly O'Keefe Molly O'Keefe is an American author of contemporary romance. She is a two-time winner of Romance Writers of America's RITA Award for Best Contemporary Romance for ''Crazy Thing Called Love'' in 2014, and for Best Romance Novella for "The Christ ...

(born 1986), American author * Natasha O'Keeffe (born 1986), English actress *

Ned O'Keeffe Ned O'Keeffe (born 1 August 1942) is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician who served as a Minister of State from 1997 to 2001. He served as a Teachta Dála (TD) for the Cork East constituency from 1982 to 2011. He was a Senator from May 1982 ...

(born 1942), Irish politician *

Paddy O'Keeffe Paddy O'Keeffe (born 1864) was an Irish hurler who played as a half-back for the Cork senior team. O'Keeffe played for Cork for just one season in the 1893 championship. It was a successful year as he won a set of All-Ireland and Munster me ...

(born 1864), Irish hurler *

Padraig O'Keeffe Pádraig O'Keeffe (''Irish: Pádraig Ó Caoimh'') (1887 – 1963) was a noted Irish traditional musician. O'Keeffe was born in Glountane Cross (in the townland of Knockdown), Cordal, Castleisland, the eldest of eight children from a musi ...

(1887–1963), Irish traditional musician *

Pat O'Keeffe Pat O'Keeffe (17 March 1883 – 16 August 1960, spelled by many sources as Pat O'Keefe), was a professional English boxer who became the British champion in both the welterweight and middleweight weight classes. His professional career spanned ...

(1883–1960), English boxer * Patrick O'Keeffe (politician) (died 1973), Irish politician *

Patrick O'Keeffe (writer) Patrick O’Keeffe (born 1963 in Limerick) is an Irish American novelist and short story writer. Life He grew up in County Limerick, on a farm with his 9 brothers and sisters, but moved to the United States in his 20s to pursue writing. He gradu ...

(born 1964), Irish-American short story writer *

Rhys O'Keeffe Rhys O'Keeffe (born 8 August 1990) is a former professional Australian rules footballer with the Carlton Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL). O'Keeffe played his junior years in Adelaide, nominally as a defender. He joined th ...

(born 1990), Australian rules footballer * Sean O'Keeffe (born 1982), Australian rules footballer *

Susan O'Keeffe Susan O'Keeffe (born 18 September 1960) is an Irish journalist and former Labour Party politician. Personal life She was educated at Mount Anville Secondary School, Dublin, and at University College Cork. She lives in Collooney, County Sligo w ...

, Irish politician and journalist *

Timothy O'Keeffe Timothy O'Keeffe (27 September 1926 – 11 January 1994) was an Irish-born editor and publisher. He was born in Scilly, Kinsale, County Cork, and served as editorial director of the London publishing house MacGibbon & Kee. He later formed his o ...

(1926–1994), Irish editor and publisher *

Trevor O'Keeffe Trevor O'Keeffe (1968 – 8 August 1987) was an Irish man who was murdered while hitchhiking in France. His body was found in a shallow grave, having been strangled with a cord. Since 1980, seven young men had disappeared in the so-called 'Triang ...

(1968–1987), Irish man who was murdered while hitchhiking in France

Fictional characters

References

Footnotes

Bibliography

* Byrne, Francis J., ''Irish Kings and High-Kings''. Four Courts Press. 2nd edition, 2001. * Charles-Edwards, Thomas M., ''Early Christian Ireland''. Cambridge University Press. 2000. * Franklin, D., "Cliodhna, the Queen of the Fairies of South Munster", in
Journal of the Cork Historical and Archaeological Society, Volume III, Second Series
'. 1897. pp. 81 ff * MacLysaght, Edward, ''Irish Families: Their Names, Arms and Origins''. Irish Academic Press. 4th edition, 1998.

External links

at OKeefeClan.org
O'Keeffe
at the ''Irish Times''
O'Keeffe family pedigree
at Library Ireland {{DEFAULTSORT:O'keeffe Surnames Ancient Irish dynasties Clíodhna Aibell Anglicised Irish-language surnames