About us
The Keech-Keetch-Ketch DNA Project has been in existence since May of 2006 as sub-group to another unrelated surname project. However, as of 3 February 2015, it is now a full fledged surname project known as the "Keech DNA Project." The purpose of this project is to find Keech ancestors through DNA testing. FTDNA has determined 111 markers on the Y-chromosome that would be beneficial to genealogist in tracing specific surname lines. These particular markers were selected for their relatively low mutation rates. There are four different test that can be done: The Y-DNA 12-marker, the Y-DNA 37-marker, the Y-DNA 67-marker, and the Y-DNA 111-marker test. The Y-DNA test only works with males who have the same surname. The Y-chromosome is passed from father to son, father to son, etc., so it becomes a marker for the surname. A female may participate in this project by having her father, brother, uncle or male cousin, who carry the Keech surname (or its variant spellings), contribute a sample of their Y-DNA.
The Keech surname, and variant spellings, is English. It appears to have originated in the region of England known as East Anglia, basically the coastal counties which stretch from the Humber River down to the mouth of the Thames. The surname spellings are quite varied and include: Keach, Kedge, Keech, Keattch, Keetch, Keitch and Ketch. However, the derivation is from an early medieval dialectal term "kedge," thought to be ultimately of pre-7th century Norse origin, and meaning "brisk or lively." It is one of those interesting groups of early European surnames that gradually came into existence from the habitual use of nicknames. The 15th Century English dictionary known as "Promptorium Parvulorum," gives the example of "Kygge or Kydge: jocundus" ... that is jolly or lively. The first recorded spelling of the family name is possibly that of Alured Keg, dated 1177, in the "Pipe Rolls" of the county of Norfolk, during the reign of King Henry II of England, 1154 -1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as a Poll Tax.
The Keech surname, and variant spellings, is English. It appears to have originated in the region of England known as East Anglia, basically the coastal counties which stretch from the Humber River down to the mouth of the Thames. The surname spellings are quite varied and include: Keach, Kedge, Keech, Keattch, Keetch, Keitch and Ketch. However, the derivation is from an early medieval dialectal term "kedge," thought to be ultimately of pre-7th century Norse origin, and meaning "brisk or lively." It is one of those interesting groups of early European surnames that gradually came into existence from the habitual use of nicknames. The 15th Century English dictionary known as "Promptorium Parvulorum," gives the example of "Kygge or Kydge: jocundus" ... that is jolly or lively. The first recorded spelling of the family name is possibly that of Alured Keg, dated 1177, in the "Pipe Rolls" of the county of Norfolk, during the reign of King Henry II of England, 1154 -1189. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as a Poll Tax.