# Key (surname)

Key is an English and Dutch-language surname. Notable people with the surname include:
* Al Key (1905–1976), aviator and mayor of Meridian, Mississippi
* Adriaen Thomasz Key (c. 1544 – after 1589), Flemish painter
* Alexander Key (1904–1979), American science fiction writer
* Arden Key (born 1996), American football player
* Bailie Key (born 1999), American artistic gymnast, 2013 National Champion
* Berthold Wells Key (1895–1986), British Indian Army officer
* Dana Key (1953–2010), American musician
* Danny Key (born 1977), English footballer
* David M. Key (1824–1900), US Senator from Tennessee
* David McK. Key (1900–1988), diplomat from Tennessee
* Devon Key (born 1997), American football player
* Ellen Key (1849–1926), Swedish difference feminist writer
* Francis Scott Key (1779–1843), author of the United States national anthem
* Fred Key (1909–1971), aviator
* James L. Key (1867–1939), lawyer and twice Mayor of Atlanta, Georgia
* Jaylen Key (born 2000), American football player
* Jennifer Key, South African mathematician
* Jimmy Key (born 1961), James Edward Key, former left-handed pitcher in Major League Baseball
* John Key (born 1961), former Prime Minister of New Zealand
* Sir John Key, 1st Baronet (1794–1858), Lord Mayor of London 1830–1832, MP for City of London 1832–1833
* John A. Key (1871–1954), American politician
* John Maurice Key (1905–1984), Bishop of Sherborne then Truro
* John Ross Key (1754–1821), American lawyer and judge
* Johnny Key (disambiguation)
   * Johnny Key (footballer) (born 1937), English soccer player
   * Johnny Key (sprinter) (born 2003), Samoan athlete
* Kathleen Key (1903–1954), American actress in the silent era, great-great-granddaughter of Francis Scott Key
* Keegan-Michael Key (born 1971), American actor, writer, and comedian
* Kelly Key (born 1983), Kelly de Almeida Afonso Freitas, Portuguese-Brazilian pop singer
* Kristin Key (born 1980), American comedian
* Laurence Key (1895–1971), English cricketer
* Lieven de Key (1560—1627), Dutch renaissance architect
* Philip Key (U.S. politician), a Representative of the State of Maryland in the United States Congress from 1791 to 1792.
* Philip Barton Key (U.S. politician), a Representative of the State of Maryland in the United States Congress from 1807 to 1812.
* Philip Barton Key (U.S. District Attorney), murder victim in a controversial nineteenth-century trial
* Rob Key (born 1979), English cricketer
* Robert Key (politician) (1945–2023), a British politician, the Conservative MP for Salisbury
* Ryan Key (born 1979), William Ryan Key, American rock musician of the pop punk band Yellowcard
* Samuel M. Key (born 1951), pen name of Charles de Lint, Canadian writer of Dutch origin
* Stephanie Key (born 1954), Australian politician and member of the South Australian House of Assembly
* Ted Key (1912–2008), Theodore Keyser, American cartoonist and writer, creator of the cartoon panel Hazel
* Thomas Key (disambiguation), several people with the same name
   * Thomas Hewitt Key (1799–1875), English classical scholar
   * Thomas Marshall Key (1819–1869), American politician
   * Thomas Caius (died 1572), English academic and administrator
* Tim Key (born 1976), English actor, writer, and performance poet
* V. O. Key, Jr. (1908–1963), American political scientist and author
* Watt Key (born 1970), American writer
* Wilhelmine Key (1872–1955), American geneticist