Find out how popular the last name Keo is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named Keo.

Keo, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the Keo surname is from the 2010 census data.

Popularity of Keo in America

Keo is the 10001st most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The Keo surname appeared 3,223 times in the 2010 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 1 people would have the surname Keo.

We can also compare 2010 data for Keo to data from the previous census in 2000. The table below contains all of the statistics for both years in a side-by-side comparison.

The history of the last name Keo

The surname "Keo" is believed to have originated in Scandinavia, specifically in Norway and Sweden, during the medieval period. It is derived from the Old Norse word "keor," which translates to "pine tree" or "fir tree." This suggests that the name may have been initially given to someone who lived near a pine forest or worked with pine trees.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name "Keo" can be found in the Icelandic Sagas, which are a collection of historical narratives from the 13th and 14th centuries. In the Saga of Gisli the Outlaw, a character named Keo Bjornsson is mentioned as a prominent farmer and landowner in the region of Broadfirth, Iceland.

During the Viking Age, many Scandinavians ventured across Europe and settled in various regions, including the British Isles and parts of modern-day France and Germany. This migration contributed to the spread of the surname "Keo" beyond its Nordic origins. In England, the surname can be traced back to the Domesday Book of 1086, where it appears as "Kio" or "Chio."

One notable bearer of the name "Keo" was Keo Erlingsson, a Norwegian nobleman and military commander who lived in the 12th century. He played a significant role in the civil wars that plagued Norway during that period and was known for his bravery and tactical prowess.

In the 15th century, a German merchant and explorer named Hans Keo gained recognition for his travels to the Canary Islands and the western coast of Africa. He documented his voyages in a journal, which provided valuable insights into the trade routes and cultures of the time.

Another prominent figure with the surname "Keo" was the Swedish painter and engraver, Johan Keo (1629-1686). He is renowned for his detailed landscapes and cityscapes, many of which depicted scenes from his native Stockholm.

During the 18th century, the name "Keo" appeared in historical records associated with the Scottish Highlands. One example is Angus Keo, a renowned piper and composer who lived in the late 1700s and contributed significantly to the preservation and promotion of traditional Scottish music.

Throughout history, variations of the name have included "Kio," "Chio," "Keo," and "Keau," reflecting the influence of different languages and regional dialects. Additionally, some place names, such as Keough in Ireland and Keow in Scotland, may have connections to the surname "Keo," although the precise origins remain uncertain.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name Keo

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname Keo.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2010 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for Keo was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Since we have data from the previous census in 2000, we can also compare the values to see how the popularity of Keo has changed in the 10 years between the two census surveys.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

The history and meaning of the name Keo was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Keo, please contact us.

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