Keith History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

A family in the Pictish tribe of ancient Scotland was the first to use the name Keith. They lived in the lands of Keith in the county of East Lothian. Traditionally the Keiths were descended from Robert, an early Chieftain of the Catti tribe, and possibly one of the earliest settlers in Scotland. Robert joined King Malcolm II at the battle of Panbridge, in 1006, against Camus, leader of the Danes. 

Robert slew Camus for which King Malcolm granted Robert the hereditary title of Marshall of Scotland, with a barony in Lothian and the island of Inskeith in the gulf of Edinburgh. It is for this title that the Keiths are sometimes known as the Marshalls, and many Clansmen adopted that name.

Early Origins of the Keith family

The surname Keith was first found in Haddingtonshire where Harvey Keith, successor of the aforementioned Robert Keith (d. 1346) inherited the office of Marshal late in the 13th century, but was imprisoned by the English until 1304. “Reported to [King] Edward as ‘one of his worst enemies,’ and ‘of bad repute,’ he was ordered to be removed to Nottingham Castle; but, on reaching York on his way thither, was sent to Bristol Castle. In 1302 he was admitted to the king’s peace, and returning to Scotland, is mentioned as dining with the Prince of Wales at Perth in February 1304.” [1]

He became one of four Deputy Wardens of Scotland. He joined the cause of King Robert the Bruce, and for their assistance to the Scottish crown, the Clan was granted the royal forest of Kintore. Harvey Keith commanded the Scots Cavalry at Bannockburn and was probably more instrumental in the annihilation of the English army than any other single person. He was again granted lands for his deeds, this time at the expense of the Clan Cumming (Comyn), whose estates at Buchan were acquired by the Keith Clan.

His great grandson, Sir William Keith, (d. 1336) founded the tower of Dunottar Castle. He brought the bones and heart of James Douglas, as well as King Robert I of Scotland’s heart, back to Scotland after Douglas was killed on crusade in Spain. Through marriage with an heiress of the Cheynes of Axkergill, the Keiths acquired lands in Caithrless, and began a never-ending succession of feuds with their new neighbors, the Gunns and others.

Early History of the Keith family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Keith research.

Keith Spelling Variations

In medieval Scotland, names were more often spelled according to sound than any regular set of rules. An enormous number of spelling variations were the result. Over the years, the name Keith has been spelled Keith, Keath, Ceiteach (Gaelic) and others.

Early Notables of the Keith family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the Clan at this time was William Keith (d. 1475), 1st Earl Marischal of Scotland; Agnes Keith, Countess of Moray (c.1540-1588), a Scottish noblewoman; William Keith, 4th Earl Marischal (d. 1581), a Scottish nobleman and politician; George Keith, 5th Earl Marischal (c.1553-1623), a Scottish nobleman; William Keith, 6th Earl Marischal (c.1585-1635), a Scottish lord, Earl Marischal and naval official.

Keith Ranking

In the United States, the name Keith is the 577^th most popular surname with an estimated 49,740 people with that name. [2] However, in New Zealand, the name Keith is ranked the 958^thmost popular surname with an estimated 780 people with that name. [3]

 Migration of the Keith family to Ireland

Some of the Keith family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.

 Keith migration to the United States +

In such difficult times, Ireland, Australia, and North America looked like better homes for many Scots. The trips were expensive and grueling, but also rewarding, as the colonies were havens for those unwelcome in the old country. That legacy did not die easily, though, and many were forced to fight for their freedom in the American War of Independence. The Scottish legacy has resurface in more recent times, though, through Clan societies, highland games, and other organizations. Immigration and passenger lists have shown many early immigrants bearing the old Scottish name of Keith: 

Keith Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• James Keith, who arrived in Boston, Massachusetts in 1662 [4]
• Dorothy Keith, who arrived in Maryland in 1674 [4]
• Henry Keith, who settled in Virginia in 1679
• George Keith, who settled in Philadelphia in 1682

Keith Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

• Margery Keith, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1702 [4]
• Cornelius Keith, who landed in Virginia in 1709 [4]
• Effie Keith, who arrived in New York in 1739 [4]
• Alexander Keith, who landed in South Carolina in 1745 [4]
• William Keith, who landed in Charleston, South Carolina in 1769 [4]

Keith Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Robert Keith, aged 20, who landed in Maryland in 1813 [4]
• Rebecca Keith, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 [4]
• John Keith, who landed in New York in 1817 [4]
• Charles Keith, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 [4]