Key Name Origin, Meaning and Family History

Key Name Meaning: Thought to have originated from a number of different origins, may have came from the Anglo-Saxon word 'Coeg' meaning 'key',may have also been taken from the Welsh word 'cai' meaning 'corn' or from the French 'Kay(e)' meaning quay.

Thought to have derived from a number of different origins, may have been an occupational name for someone who looked after keys for a toll gate for rxample or someone who made keys, may have also been used to describe someone who lived by a quay or someone associated with corn.

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Surname Distribution

Census frequency by county

Name Concentrations Within England and Wales

Key Surname Statistics


Top Professions for the Key family

Profession Census Frequency
Agricultural Labourer 151
Female Servant 142
Independent 71
Male Servant 60
Farmer 58
Labourer 57
Ag Labourer 17
Blacksmith 16
Shoe Maker 16
Coal Miner 15
Lace Maker 13
Weaver 13
Cotton Weaver 11
Carpenter 10
Tailor 9
Pauper 9
Apprentice 9
Butcher 9
Draper 9
Frame Work Knitter 9
Dress Maker 8
Servant 8
Joiner 8
Independant 7
Victualler 6

Key Surname Variants Ranking

Rank Surname Match Census Frequency
1 Kay 67% 85,028
2 Key 100% 32,408
3 Kaye 50% 27,763
4 Oakey 60% 5,180
5 Keay 75% 4,721
6 Okey 75% 1,867
7 Quay 25% 570
8 Keey 75% 281
9 Keye 75% 163
10 Kie 33% 158
11 Kye 33% 158
12 Kea 67% 124

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The surname Key is the 2nd most popular variant of Kay.

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