Arthur, William (1857) An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names. New York: Sheldon, Blakeman. Public Domain.
KEYS
There are approximately 4,422 people named Keys in the UK. That makes it the 2,365th most common surname overall. Out of every million people in the UK, approximately 70 are named Keys.
Region of origin
British Isles
Country of origin
Ireland
Language of origin
Gaelic
Religion of origin
Christian
Classification
Celtic
Related and similar surnames
KyesKey
Kies
Kis
Ky
Kuy
Kie
Khy
Kye
Cuys
Kkeys
Kuys
Kys
Key's
Kuyes
Khey
Kiys
Kiis
Kiews
Kyees
Kuye
Khis
Kyus
Kyss
Kysz
Kyos
Kyis
Kyas
Kiyzs
The Keys surname in historical dictionaries
An Etymological Dictionary of Family and Christian Names (1857)
Probably from Keyus, an old Roman word for a warden or keeper.