THE

KEEFES

OF

ENGLAND

If one has completed any study of the Keefes and O'Keefes, then it is known that this family is prominently of Irish heritage. and many of this surname immigrated directly from Ireland to America. However, the Keefe surname is also found in the records of England as early as the 16th century. Why did these early Irish Keefes/Keeffes immigrate to England? This is a difficult question to answer especially considering the history of the time. One must consider that during the 1500s and 1600s the Irish were usually very Catholic and vastly discriminated against by the English King, Henry the VIII, and treated even worse by his daughter, Elizabeth (both of whom were Protestants). As a matter of fact, Queen Elizabeth ordered mass burning of Catholic owned land (including O'Keeffe lands) in Ireland during the 16th century:

If the Keefes were among the Irish Catholics treated harshly by the English Crown, then why go to England, the home of their tormentors? Did some Keefes and O'Keefes convert to the Protestant faith and then move to England ironcially because of the lack of opportunity in their homeland? We may never know for sure, but the early ones in England were conspicously missing the 'O' from their names. The families that sought refuge in England probably dropped the prefix so as not to be identified as Irish Catholics when they arrived to England. Here is a list of the Keefe family members who were early residents in the Counties of Devon and Cornwall in England. The following are from Parish Registers. NOTE: SOME OF THE KEEFES LISTED HERE MAY BE THE ANCESTORS OF THE ONES FOUND IN SOUTH CAROLINA BY THE MID 18TH CENTURY.

• Exeter, St. Martin, Devon
  • 1550 Birth of John Keeffe (birth may have been in Ireland)
  • 1575 Marriage of John Keeffe to Elinor Tucker

• Exeter, Saint Sidwell, Devon:
  • 1595, Birth of John Kieffe (father Anthonie Keffe)
  • 1598, Christening of Lewes Keeffe (father Anthonie Keeffe)
  • 1601, Christening of Roger Keiffe (father Anthonie Keiffe)

• Exeter, Saint Mary Major Devon:
  • 1593, marriage Alice Keiffe to Lewes Hollwell
  • 1660, Christening of Martyn Keefe (father Anthony Keefe)
  • 1669, Christening of Anthony Kefe (father Anthony Kefe)
  • 1660, tax list, Anthony Kefe
  • 1671, Christening of Wilmot Keefe (father Anthony Keefe)

• Exeter, Saint David, Devon:
  • 1613, Christening William Keffe (father Anthony Keffe)
  • 1619, marriage Lewes Keeffe to Margaret Browne
  • 1624, Birth Elizabaeth Keiffe (father Lewes Keiffe)
  • 1636, Birth Antony Keefe (parents Lewse and Rebecca Keefe)
  • 1654, Christening of Child Keefe (father Lewes Keefe)
  • 1660, Tax list John Keife, Lewis Keife

• Widecombe in the Moor, Devon:
  • 1638 Marriage, Alice Keefe to Hugh Vigurs

• Poll Tax 1660, Parish of St. David Exeter, Devon::
  • John Keife and wife 12 pense
  • Lewis Keife 12 pense
  • Lewis Keife 12 pense (listed twice)

• Poll Tax 1660, Parish of St. Mary Major, Devon:
  • Anthony Keife and wife, 12 pense

• Little Torrington, Devon:
  • 1687, marriage Richard Keefe to Grace Fraine

• Tudor Tax records from Exeter, Devon, 1699 Poor rate:
  • Mrs. Keffe , Widow for the house she liveth in, 4 pence
  • The occupiers of the house lately John Keffe live in 3 pense
  • Mr. John Keffe 2 pense

• Devonshire Wills and Admons, Devon:
  • 1703 Anthony Keife, Exeter
  • 1706, John Keefe, Sr. Exeter
  • 1706, John Keefe, Exeter

• Saint Gluvias Falmouth, Cornwall:
  • 1689, Christening of Richard Keef
  • 1714, Marriage of Richard Keef to Elizabeth Richards
  • 1725, Christening of Willliam Keef (parents Richard and Elizabeth Keef)
  • 1742, Marriage of Richard O'Keef and Elizabeth Gill
  • 1744, Christening of Richard O'Keef (parents Richard and Elizabeth O'Keef)

• Maker, Cornwall:
  • 1750 Christening of Rebecca Keef (parents Daniel and Elizabeth Keef)

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