OKeefe

OKeefe is a surname that is commonly understood as a modern variant of the Irish surname O’Keeffe (Ó Caoimh). The Gaelic origin Ó Caoimh is traditionally interpreted as meaning “descendant of Caomh,” with Caomh associated with personal qualities such as gentleness or nobility. The form OKeefe reflects a stylized Anglicization that omits the apostrophe common in many Irish surnames.

Spelling and variations. In addition to OKeefe, related surnames in use include O’Keeffe, O’Keefe, Keeffe, and Keefe. The various spellings arose from anglicization practices, regional transcription differences, and shifting conventions over centuries. The unaccented form OKeefe is more likely to be adopted in English-speaking countries where standardized punctuation is less common.

Geographic distribution and history. The name has strong ties to Ireland, particularly in regions historically associated with O’Keeffe families in Munster. Over the 19th and 20th centuries, many bearers emigrated to the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, Australia, and elsewhere, contributing to the surname’s presence in North American and other Anglophone populations.

Notable people. Individuals with the surname and its variants have appeared in public life across fields such as politics, science, and media. A well-known example is James O’Keefe, an American activist and founder of Project Veritas, though spellings vary across sources. In science, John O’Keefe is recognized for his Nobel Prize-winning work on the hippocampus, illustrating the name’s continued association with notable contributions.

The OKeefe spelling thus represents one of several Anglicized forms of a longstanding Irish surname, with a history shaped by Gaelic origins, Anglicization practices, and global migration.