Family History and Genealogy Resources by Surname
O'Keefe Surname Origin
1. The descendant of Kief. Kief, in the Danish, signifies brave, stout, courageous. 2. The name O'Keeffe is anglicised from the Irish language where the name is O Caoimh. In Ireland the name is generally spelt with two ff. O'Keefe would be regarded as the more original anglicised version. 'Caoimh' means gentle. Hence Caoimhin translates into the worldwide name Kevin and comes from the Irish language means 'little gentle one'. The O means 'from' or 'descendant'.
Source: An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names With an Essay on their Derivation and Import; Arthur, William, M.A.; New York, NY: Sheldon, Blake, Bleeker & CO., 1857.
O'Keefe Surname Meaning and Family Facts
There is more to O'Keefe family history than the origin of your surname:
A O'Keefe Family History Thought:
'The past isn't dead. It isn't even past.' --William Faulkner