Norman & Gaelic sept

Lacey

de Léis

Also: Lacy, De Lacy, de Lacy, Leacy

“Norman ‘de Laci’, of Lassy in France; or Ó Laitheasa, descendant of Flaitheas”

🏔 Meath · An Mhí 🏔 Limerick · Luimneach 🏔 Wexford · Loch Garman Source: Woulfe, Irish Names and Surnames (1923) ↗ Also: Woulfe, Irish Names and Surnames (1923) ↗

The sept's historic heartland, highlighted. People moved — a name can be found far from home.

The story

There are two unrelated names here. The Norman de Lacys came to England with William the Conqueror, and at the Anglo-Norman invasion Hugh de Lacy was granted the whole of Meath. A distinguished branch settled in Co. Limerick, with castles at Ballingarry, Bruree and Bruff. Pierce Lacy of Bruff was a noted captain in the wars against Elizabeth, and Count Peter de Lacy, born in Limerick in 1678, became a celebrated commander in Russia. Separately, Ó Laitheasa was an old Wexford family, still numerous in that county, and Woulfe warns that it should not be confused with the Norman name.

See them on the atlas ↗

What the name is made of

de Léis
de — of (Norman, from a place rather than a person)
Léis — the ancestor, trade or place the name is built on

Find this form in the Irish-to-English index → · What Ó and Mac actually mean

Is Lacey an Irish name?

Lacey has two separate origins. A Gaelic sept and an incoming family ended up with the same English spelling, and they are not related — which one you belong to is a question the surname cannot answer, only the records can.

The five answers, and why it is rarely yes or no →

People of the name

Peter von Lacy ↗ (1678–1751) · born in County Limerick
Bill Lacey ↗ (1889–1969) · born in County Wexford

From the people listed on the county pages; sharing a surname does not mean sharing descent.

Where the Lacey country is

County Meath County Limerick County Wexford Limerick Navan Wexford Ashbourne Gorey Newcastle West Dunboyne Dunshaughlin 13 castles in Meath 14 castles in Limerick 10 castles in Wexford

Neighbours — other names from the same counties

Darcy · Meath, Wexford Duane · Meath, Limerick Roche · Wexford, Limerick Bulger · Wexford Canty · Limerick Carmody · Limerick Casey · Limerick Clohessy · Limerick Cody · Wexford Collins · Limerick Conlan · Meath Connery · Wexford Connolly · Meath Corbett · Meath

Quick answers

Is Lacey an Irish name?

What does the surname Lacey mean?

Lacey (Irish: de Léis) means “Norman ‘de Laci’, of Lassy in France; or Ó Laitheasa, descendant of Flaitheas”. Origin: Norman & Gaelic sept.

Where in Ireland is the surname Lacey from?

The historic homeland of the Lacey name is Meath, Limerick, Wexford. People moved, so the name can be found far beyond it.

What is the Irish for Lacey?

de Léis. Related spellings: Lacy, De Lacy, de Lacy, Leacy.

Looking for the Lacey family crest? Read this first — arms belong to people, not surnames, and the honest version is more interesting. Tracing Lacey ancestors? The step-by-step guide.

Not your spelling? Try the full A–Z. Know more about the Lacey name? Add to the story.