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Irish surname

Dempsey: Irish Surname History & Coat of Arms

Ó Díomasaigh · 'descendant of Díomasach' (proud)

Woulfe (1923) gives Dempsey and O'Dempsey as Ó Díomasaigh, 'descendant of Díomasach' (proud). The O'Dempseys were of the same stock as the O'Connors of Offaly and were long one of the most powerful families in Leinster, with lands on both sides of the river Barrow. In 1890 Dempsey births were found chiefly in Dublin, Antrim, Cork, Wexford and King's County.

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Coat of arms associated with the Dempsey surname
Irish formÓ Díomasaigh
Meaning'descendant of Díomasach' (proud)
CountiesOffaly (King's County), Laois (Leix), Dublin, Antrim
Other spellings2
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Origin of the Dempsey name

Woulfe: of the same stock as the O'Connors of Offaly, deriving descent from Ros Failghe, eldest son of Cathaoir Mor. Their territory was Clann Mhaoilughra, on both sides of the river Barrow, comprising the baronies of Portnahinch in Leix and Upper Philipstown in Offaly.[1]

  1. 1599Terence O'Dempsey knighted by Essex.[1]
  2. 1631Terence O'Dempsey created Baron of Philipstown and Viscount Clanmalier.[1]
  3. 1690'O DEMPSY' appears in Sir James Terry's list of Irish septs.[4]
  4. 1890117 Dempsey births registered in Ireland, chiefly Dublin, Antrim, Cork, Wexford, King's.[2]

Where in Ireland

Co. Offaly (King's County)Clann Mhaoilughra included Upper Philipstown, Offaly; King's County had 10 Dempsey births in 1890.[1][2][3][5]
Co. Laois (Leix)Clann Mhaoilughra included the barony of Portnahinch in Leix.[1]
Co. DublinFirst of the counties where Dempsey was principally found in 1890.[2]
Co. AntrimAmong the counties where Dempsey was principally found in 1890.[2]
Co. CorkAmong the counties where Dempsey was principally found in 1890.[2]
Co. WexfordAmong the counties where Dempsey was principally found in 1890.[2]

Notable people named Dempsey

Terence O'Dempsey, Viscount Clanmalierknighted 1599; created Viscount Clanmalier 1631Knighted by Essex in 1599; created Baron of Philipstown and Viscount Clanmalier in 1631.[1]

Other spellings

O'Dempsey · O Demsy[1]

The Dempsey coat of arms

The name appears as 'O DEMPSY' in the 'List of Names of Irish Septs as given in the Book of Arms, compiled by Sir James Terry, Athlone Herald (1690)', as printed by Matheson. The list gives sept names only; it does not describe any arms, and it does not mean that everyone named Dempsey is entitled to a coat of arms.[4]

The design shown is a coat of arms associated with the Dempsey surname. In Irish and British heraldry a coat of arms is granted to one person and passes to their heirs; it does not belong to everyone who shares the surname. Many families still use the arms of their name as a symbol of their heritage.

Dempsey surname: questions

What does the surname Dempsey mean?

Woulfe gives Dempsey as Ó Díomasaigh, 'descendant of Díomasach', a name meaning proud.[1]

Is Dempsey an Irish name?

Yes. Woulfe gives O'Dempsey and Dempsey as anglicised forms of the Irish Ó Díomasaigh, a Leinster family of the same stock as the O'Connors of Offaly.[1]

Where in Ireland is the Dempsey name from?

The O'Dempsey territory, Clann Mhaoilughra, lay on both sides of the river Barrow in the baronies of Portnahinch (Leix) and Upper Philipstown (Offaly). In 1890 Dempsey births were chiefly in Dublin, Antrim, Cork, Wexford and King's County.[1][2]

What happened to the O'Dempsey lands?

Woulfe says the O'Dempseys escaped confiscation for a time under Elizabeth, took part in the Confederation of Kilkenny and supported James II, and for that loyalty lost their estates.[1]

Sources

  1. Ó Díomasaigh — Irish Names and Surnames (Rev. Patrick Woulfe, 1923), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/names/od/o-diomasaigh.php
  2. Dempsey — Birth Indexes of 1890 — Special Report on Surnames in Ireland (Robert E. Matheson, 1909), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/matheson/report/births/dempsey.php
  3. Registration Province of Leinster (leading surnames by county, Births Index 1890) — Special Report on Surnames in Ireland (Robert E. Matheson, 1909), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/matheson/report/leinster-names.php
  4. List of Names of Irish Septs (Terry, 1690) — Special Report on Surnames in Ireland (Robert E. Matheson, 1909), transcribed, LibraryIreland.com. libraryireland.com/matheson/report/irish-septs.php
  5. Records of King's/Offaly County Council, Offaly Archives (Offaly County Library). offalyarchives.com/index.php/records-of-kings-offaly-county-council

Note: Matheson's 1890 figures for a surname include its spelling varieties (Matheson, Table Explanation).