The Keating Family

(Crest No. 224. Plate 13.)

THE Keating family is descended from Milesius, King of Spain, through the line of Ir, his fifth son, and belonged to the Clanna Rory tribe, founded by Heber Donn, son of Ir. The founder of the family was Conal Kearnach, son of Amergin, who was removed in the fourth degree from Rory O’More, who gave his name to the tribe in Ulster, B. C. 87. The ancient name of this family was Keitherny, signifying “Sturdy Soldier.” The possessions of the sept were located in the present County of Tipperary.

Another family of this name was settled in its various branches in the Counties of Wexford, Kildare, Carlow, Waterford, Tipperary, and Cork, in all of which they held high rank and large possessions. The latter, however, traces its lineage to one of the pioneers of the Norman invaders. An English family, also of this name, came to Ireland and settled in the County of Limerick in the latter part of the sixteenth century.

The Keatings were from the first down to our own day distinguished for their prominence in national and political affairs, and they were noted for their courage and hospitality. Halis Keating was the founder of this family and he had his principal estate or residence at Baldwinstown, in the County of Wexford. In the reign of Henry the Seventh we read that James Keating, Prior of Kilmainham, stormed Dublin Castle and held it against the Government for many months. It was, therefore, enacted by the English Parliament that no person born in Ireland should ever thereafter be Prior of Kilmainham. The Keatings of Carlow rendered such good service to the great Earl of Desmond in his rebellion that the entire sept, branch, and name were outlawed. Many of these Keatings married into powerful families and their descendants rose to high distinction both in Church and State.

In the ruined church of Turbid, in the County of Tipperary, repose the remains of the Rev. Geoffry Keating, who, to great erudition, united an ardent love of his race and country, and wrought for many years in constant peril and privation and under the most adverse circumstances for the benefit of both.

Mr. Edward F. and Mr. Joseph T. Keating of Brooklyn, N. Y., are descendants of this family.