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Keam Family History

Keam Surname Meaning

From Keyham (Leics), which is recorded as Cayham in 1220, Kayme in 1502, and Keame in 1576, the name has evolved significantly over the centuries.

The derivation of the name comes from Old English, where cǣg means 'key' or, hypothetically, 'boulder'.

Additionally, the name may have originated from a personal name that is linked to either of these meanings.

Lastly, the suffix hām translates to 'farmstead', giving further context to the nature of the settlement.

This combination of elements hints at both geographical and personal significance in the history of Keyham.

Source: The Oxford Dictionary of Family Names in Britain and Ireland, 2016


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Where is the Keam family from?

You can see how Keam families moved over time by selecting different census years. The Keam family name was found in the USA, the UK, Canada, and Scotland between 1840 and 1920. The most Keam families were found in Canada in 1911. In 1891 there were 9 Keam families living in Kent. This was about 39% of all the recorded Keam's in United Kingdom. Kent had the highest population of Keam families in 1891.
Use census records and voter lists to see where families with the Keam surname lived. Within census records, you can often find information like name of household members, ages, birthplaces, residences, and occupations.
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What did your Keam ancestors do for a living?

In 1939, Shipwright and Unpaid Domestic Duties were the top reported jobs for men and women in the United Kingdom named Keam. 100% of Keam men worked as a Shipwright and 90% of Keam women worked as an Unpaid Domestic Duties.

View Census Data for Keam | Data not to scale

*We display top occupations by gender to maintain their historical accuracy during times when men and women often performed different jobs.

Top Male Occupations In 1939

  • Shipwright
    100%

Top Female Occupations In 1939

  • Unpaid Domestic Duties
    90%
  • Unpaid Household Duties
    5%
  • Unpaid Domestic Duties Incapacitated
    5%

What Keam family records will you find?

Census Records

There are 4,000 census records available for the last name Keam. Like a window into their day-to-day life, Keam census records can tell you where and how your ancestors worked, their level of education, veteran status, and more.

Search UK census records for Keam

Passenger Lists

There are 692 immigration records available for the last name Keam. Passenger lists are your ticket to knowing when your ancestors arrived in the UK, and how they made the journey - from the ship name to ports of arrival and departure.

View all Keam immigration records

Draft Cards

There are 284 military records available for the last name Keam. For the veterans among your Keam ancestors, military collections provide insights into where and when they served, and even physical descriptions.

View all Keam military records

You've only scratched the surface of Keam family history

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What is the average Keam lifespan?

Between 1964 and 2004, in the United States, Keam life expectancy was at its lowest point in 1973, and highest in 1986. The average life expectancy for Keam in 1964 was 76, and 87 in 2004.

View Social Security Death Index (SSDI) for Keam

An unusually short lifespan might indicate that your Keam ancestors lived in harsh conditions. A short lifespan might also indicate health problems that were once prevalent in your family. The SSDI is a searchable database of more than 70 million names. You can find birthdates, death dates, addresses and more.

Discover the unique achievements of ancestors in the Keam family tree

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