Talk:O'Keeffe

O'Keeffe vs O'Keefe

The original O'Keefe's of Australia imigrated to south Australia in the 1850's abourd 2 ships (Lord Hungerford and the Caucasian). They are listed as Keefe's. Over the years the Thomas Keefe line of the family has re-adopted the name O'Keefe. I am a direct decendant. Hugo, Hugo, John, John, Thomas Keefe, Thomas, Terrence, Peter, Avan. Avan O'Keefe, Western Australia 2011. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 58.109.19.210 (talk) 14:30, 3 December 2011 (UTC)

With regards to the horse theif rumour in the East of Australia, I can reveal that the original Thomas Keefe did a lot of horse trading with various middle eastern nationalities within Western Australia. This is probably where the rumor started although false. — Preceding unsigned comment added by 114.75.27.71 (talk) 20:07, 9 January 2012 (UTC)

I think O'Keefe should redirect to O'Keeffe rather than vice versa - O'Keeffe is the more common spelling of the name, certainly in Ireland, the home of the name. Plus most of the famous O'Keeffes listed use the double f spelling. --[[User:]] 17:54, 24 October 2007 (UTC)

I Agree. The most common spelling in Ireland is O'Keeffe. In Australia both forms exist, however this seems to be a bastardisation by media (Johny O'Keefe was born O'Keeffe. The O'Keefe spelling seems to be more common in America. I have never heard the 'ancedote' regarding the horse thieves and consider it rather offensive, most likely inaccurate and in many years of O'Keeffe research I have never heard it before. —Preceding unsigned comment added by 203.44.195.70 (talk) 05:01, 19 May 2008 (UTC)

I also agree, O'Keeffe is likely the most accurate spelling of the name, however the majority of the notable O'Keefe's listed have the anglicized spelling with one F. The horse thieves story is offensive and inaccurate. Spellings of last names change frequently when the people with the names are not literate. When a new priest or census taker arrives, names can change. Canadian O'Keef(f)e's will find their ancestors recorded as O'Kief in 1871 and O'Keefe in 1881. Overall this page is terribly written and very closely resembles one of the "Family Histories" that one can obtain for $25 at the mall. As it is not referenced it is likely a case of plagiarism too. I would suggest that the article be replaced with

"O'Keeffe (alternately O'Keefe, Keefe, Kief, others) is an Irish surname originating from County Cork." The rest of the pseudohistory about notable O'Keefes is just that. The motto and coat of arms for example belongs only to the one specific family to which it is granted and the various noble O'Keefes do not mean that everyone with that name is descended from them in particular--Kpgokeef (talk) 22:53, 31 July 2008 (UTC)

Moved page to O'Keeffe Mrchris (talk) 19:20, 20 August 2008 (UTC)