Author: Daniel Keenan

My name is Daniel Keenan. I’ve been exploring the origins of my family name Keenan. Whilst doing so, I have come across images of other people named Daniel Keenan throughout history.

This Irish surname has been recorded as O’Keenan and is most frequently Keenan. The surname now has around 51 thousand members around the world.

Those named Daniel Keenan rank around 14^th within that population. The first recorded person with the name Daniel Keenan dates back to 1839.

The surname Keenan comes from the historic pre-10th century Gaelic name O’Cianain, which means “The descendent of the faithful one” and is most common in the Ulster and northern counties of Fermanagh and Monaghan.

The Keenan clan’s reputation for producing both important church leaders and early historians throughout the Medieval Period, in numerous instances the same thing, may not have been entirely coincidental. Adam O’Caianain, who served as the canon of Lisgool in Fermanagh, is known to be the first writer in history.

He is identified as the legendary Maguires of County Fermanagh’s historian in the chronicles known as the “Four Masters.”

If the spelling MacKeenan was discovered in Petty’s Census of Ireland in 1659, it is now utterly extinct, and research indicates that the original recording may have been a clerical error.

Sir Patrick Keenan, who passed away in 1894, was the Chief Commissioner of Education in Ireland, and his name has remained connected to education in more modern times.

There have been many centuries since the creation of the Keenan family crest (coat of arms).

Ireland was one of the earliest countries to evolve a system of hereditary surnames; they came into being generally in the 11th century, and indeed a few were formed before the year 1000.

At first, the coat of arms was a practical matter that served a function on the battlefield and in tournaments.

With his helmet covering his face and armour encasing the knight from head to foot, which Daniel Keenan is famous for, the only means of identification for his followers was the insignia painted on his shield and embroidered on his surcoat, the draped and flowing garment worn over the armour.

Each symbol and colour in the Keenan Coat of Arms has a particular meaning. 

The Argent (argent, white, or silver) denotes peace and sincerity.

Azure/Blue represents loyalty and truth.

Red/Gules is “The Martyr’s colour”. Signifies Military, Fortuitous, and Magnanimous. 

Crosses often represent faith or Christian beliefs, possibly relating to the crusades.

Fleur de Lis representing purity and light. It is also the floral symbol of France.

Whilst researching the name of Daniel Keenan, I came across quite a few businesses which are also named after Daniel Keenan or Keenan.

This piqued my interest even more. Here are a few of my favourites below.

In the Suffolk district of Cheltenham, in the beautiful Cotswolds, Daniel Keenan Interiors provides stylish and inspirational British furniture and interior design services. Daniel Keenan Interiors produces a variety of conventional and contemporary sofas and chairs, bespoke orders, soft furnishings, and more, delivering interiors for both residential and commercial clients.

Along with producing beautiful furniture, their highly skilled upholsterers can breathe new life into existing pieces.

Moving over to Northeast Ohio, we have The Keenan Company.

Over 45 years ago, The Keenan Company, originally Patrick Paints, opened for business. 

Due to the numerous services introduced over the years and Patrick Keenan’s retirement after forty-five years of service, Daniel Keenan has taken over as owner and changed the company name. The Keenan Company is a one-stop-shop for construction, repair, landscaping, and snow removal needs.

Dan Keenan Paint Company 

Daniel Keenan Paint Company is privately owned and highly regarded in the DFW area where it was established in 1992 by Daniel Keenan in Dallas, Texas.

Daniel is the president of the company and is in charge of the daily operations.

Back in the UK, Keenan Recycling Ltd. was founded in 2001. The business has grown from a garden waste composting business based near Aberdeen to a national organic waste management company.

After receiving a £2.2m investment from the Business Growth Fund in 2015, they have expanded operations across Scotland and England, and acquired an eight-acre site in Linwood, near Glasgow.

Keenan Recycling Ltd. has become the largest food and garden recycling business in Scotland and now collects throughout the UK.

Is your company named after Daniel Keenan or the surname Keenan? If so, I would like to know more. 

Author Daniel Keenan.