Surname Keena - Meaning and Origin
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Keena: What does the surname Keena mean?
The last name Keena is an anglicized version of the Irish name ÓCionaodha, which means “descendant of Cionadh”. Cionadh was an old Irish clan name derived from the Gaelic word cionn, which means “kindness” or “affection”. Therefore, someone with the surname Keena is historically descended from a family known for their warmth and friendliness.
Keena is a common surname in Ireland and is particularly prominent in counties County Mayo and County Sligo. It is also found as far away as the United States, Canada, and Australia, where it has become one of the most popular Irish surnames.
The Keena clan originated in the town of Keel, in County Mayo, an area renowned for its vibrant musical culture and ceilidh dances. The Keena surname is often paired with other Irish family names, such as O'Reilly, O'Connor, and O'Donovan, as clans in these areas began to intermarry.
The Keena surname is often found with the spellings Kean, Keene, Kean, Keehn, and Kiena. In some cases, it has been shortened to the more modern “Keen” or “Keeny”. Regardless of spelling, the surname Keena continues to be associated with warmth and affection, two traits of the Irish people that have been passed down for centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisKeena: Where does the name Keena come from?
The last name Keena is primarily found in Ireland; however, it is also found in many other countries throughout the world. In the United States, it is most commonly found throughout the state of New York; however, it is also quite common in Texas, Missouri, Indiana, and Pennsylvania. It can also be found in Canada, particularly within the provinces of Quebec and Ontario, in the United Kingdom, Australia, and New Zealand. In Ireland, the Keena last name is primarily found within the counties of Connacht and Ulster. It is particularly common in the Counties of Mayo, Galway, Sligo, Roscommon, and Donegal.
Outside of Ireland, the last name Keena is almost always derived from the Irish origin. The name is thought to have ties to the MacKeena, MacKeough, or MacKenney surnames, all of which derived from the Irish Mac Cionna. Historically, the name was often spelled differently due to the inconsistency of the spelling and pronunciation of Gaelic names. As a result, today, many people with the surname Keena may not be aware of its Irish origin.
Variations of the surname Keena
The surname Keena has a number of variants, spellings, and surnames from the same origin. These variations can include: O'Keena, Kynne, Kenney, Kyne, Keane, Kene, Kenna, Kenny, and Kiena.
The surname can be believed to have derived from an old Gaelic name, ‘O'Ceana’, meaning a descendant of Ceana, also known as Keene or Keen. This name is believed to have a similar meaning to the similar name 'O'Kane', which translates to ‘brave in battle’ or ‘powerful’. The same root likely applied to the surname Keena.
Another possibility is that the name Keena is derived from a Norse word, which means ‘to descend’, as the Norsemen frequently settled in Ireland following invasions. Additionally, some records suggest it simply appeared as a surname, as many Welsh and Irish families added a surname in the 19th century.
As a result, the surname Keena is now found in countries across the world. Ireland remains the most popular place of origin, particularly in the provinces of Ulster and Connacht, while the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand also have large populations with the surname.
Famous people with the name Keena
- Faye Keena: American figure skater who competed in the 1972 Winter Olympics in Sapporo, Japan.
- Kathryn Keena: American actress best known for her role as Alice in the 1993 film, “The Good Son”.
- Don Keena: American professional baseball player who was part of six separate major league teams from 1963-1966.
- Robbie Keena: American mixed martial artist who currently competes in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
- William Keena: Former major league baseball executive who spent over 32 years in the New York Mets organization.
- Aidan Keena: Irish professional footballer, currently playing for Hearts in the Scottish Championship.
- Jack Keena: American television producer and director. He directed the Emmy Award-winning miniseries, “Sinclair Television”.
- Victoria Keena: English actress, best known for her role in the film “Oranges and Sunshine” in 2011.
- Chevonne Keena: Australian actress known for her roles on television, including “Home and Away” and “McLeod’s Daughters”.
- Ray Keena: American television director and producer, who served as an executive producer for “Law & Order”, “E.R.” and “Third Watch”.