Although there are several variant spellings extant (Keathley, Keathly, Keithley, Keatly, etc.), it appears that most of them derive from the same source, a hamlet in West Yorkshire, England called Keighley. During and after the Viking invasions of England in the 9th-11th centuries, some of the invaders chose to stay and start a new life. Keighley was the location of several of these Norse settlements. The name is derived from "Kioge" (a Norse proper name), and "ley", the Middle English spelling of "lea", meaning "one who lives in a meadow".
Although the hamlet was clearly settled by at least the 11th C. ( it was recognized in the Domesday Survey, ordered by William the Conqueror in 1085), there are few extant records until the early 13th C. By 1284, the hamlet was called "Kygheley", and one of the first documented holders of the name was Sir Henry de Kygheley, who "held the manor in 1305". Sir Henry was a member of Parliament as early as 1300, at which time he was appointed to hear complaints against King Edward I regarding violations of the Magna Carta, the 1215 document that is the basis of English common law. He evidently did his job too well, for in 1306, Edward had him confined to the Tower of London. This is one of the earliest documented exceptions to the rule that members of Parliament could not be imprisoned during the legislative term. There are still, today, Keighleys serving in the English government and civil service.
During the 13th and 14th centuries, the Keighleys (also Kithley and Kygheley) were among the most prominent of the West Riding, Yorkshire, families of knightly rank, and included knights, public servants, and friends of the King.
A prominent member of the family was Sir Richard Keighley (1385-1415), a Knight in the service of the King. He was killed at the Battle of Agincourt, wherein the English routed a much larger French army. Sir Richard was immortalized, if only briefly, by William Shakespeare, in his play, "Henry V", Act 4, scene 8.
Among the early settlers in America coming from this tradition were Phillip Kithley (c. 1622), his son Thomas (c. 1642), grandson Andrew (c. 1650s), John Keighley (d. 1719), and John Keathley (1730- 1793). We are still researching the validity of these connections.
Citation:
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life
above and beyond the call of duty, in action on the western ridge of
Mount Altuzzo, Italy. After bitter fighting, his company had
advanced to within 50 yards of the objective, where it was held up
due to intense enemy sniper, automatic, small-arms, and mortar fire.
The enemy launched three desperate counterattacks in an effort to
regain their former positions, but all three were repulsed with
heavy casualties on both sides. All officers and non-commissioned
officers of the 2nd and 3rd platoons of Company B had become
casualties, and S/Sgt Keathley, guide of the 1st platoon, moved up
and assumed command of both the 2nd and 3rd platoons, reduced to 20
men. The remnants of the two platoons were dangerously low on
ammunition, so S/Sgt Keathley, under deadly small-arms and mortar
fire, crawled from one casualty to another, collecting their
ammunition and administering first aid. He then visited each man of
his two platoons, issuing the precious ammunition he had collected
from the dead and wounded, and giving them words of encouragement.
The enemy now delivered their fourth counterattack, which was
approximately two companies in strength. In a furious charge, they
attacked from the front and both flanks, throwing hand grenades,
firing automatic weapons, and assisted by a terrific mortar barrage.
So strong was the enemy counterattack that the company was given up
for lost. The remnants of the 2nd and 3rd platoons of Company B were
now looking to S/Sgt Keathley for leadership. He shouted his orders
precisely and with determination and the men responded with all that
was in them. Time after time, the enemy tried to drive a wedge into
S/Sgt Keathley's position and each time they were driven back,
suffering huge casualties. Suddenly an enemy hand grenade hit and
exploded near S/Sgt Keathley, inflicting a mortal wound in his left
side. However, hurling defiance at the enemy, he rose to his feet.
Taking his left hand away from his wound and using it to steady his
rifle, he fired and killed an attacking enemy soldier, and continued
shouting orders to his men. His heroic and intrepid action so
inspired his men that they fought with incomparable determination
and viciousness. For 15 minutes S/Sgt Keathley continued leading his
men and effectively firing his rifle. He could have sought a
sheltered spot and perhaps saved his life, but instead he elected to
set an example for his men and make every possible effort to hold
his position. Finally, friendly artillery fire helped to force the
enemy to withdraw, leaving behind many of their number either dead
or seriously wounded. S/Sgt Keathley died a few moments later. Had
it not been for his indomitable courage and incomparable heroism,
the remnants of three rifle platoons of Company B might well have
been annihilated by the overwhelming enemy attacking force. His
actions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the military
service.