Surname Deevy - Meaning and Origin

Deevy: What does the surname Deevy mean?

The last name Deevy is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic word ‘deibheadh’, meaning ‘anxious’. This surname is quite rare and is mainly found in County Kerry, Ireland.

The earliest reference of the Deevy name can be traced back to the 1200s. It is believed that it was first used as a nickname for a person who was often worrying or anxious. It developed over time eventually becoming the last name Deevy.

The Deevy surname would have been mostly used by the Gaelic-Irish speaking population in 14th and 15th century Ireland. The Gaelic-Irish were mostly located in the Western counties of Ireland, around Munster and Connaught. Consequently, the Deevy name is primarily found in this region.

Today, there are still some Irish family members who claim to be descended from the Deevy line. There are also some with the name who originated from British settlers in County Kerry during the 19th century.

In conclusion, the last name Deevy is a rare and unique Irish surname with interesting origins and a long and distinguished history. It is still used by some Irish families to this day.

Deevy: Where does the name Deevy come from?

The last name Deevy is most commonly found in Ireland. Irish records show that the name Deevy dates back to the 10th century when the family have been recorded in the county of Tipperary. Since then, the name has spread geographically throughout both Northern and Southern Ireland. The first recorded spelling of the Deevy surname was found in the Taxation Rolls of County Tipperary in 1823, which listed Richard Deevy as being a tenant on a farm near the town of Tipperary.

Today, the Deevy family continues to carry its traditions of loyalty and hard work in both the U.S. and Ireland, as well as various other countries around the world. The Combined Surname Geographical Distribution maps show that Deevy is one of the most widely spread Irish surnames in both Northern and Southern Ireland.

In the U.S., the surname Deevy is reported to be relatively rare, but is most commonly found in California, followed by New York and Florida. In Ireland there is not only much higher frequency of the name, but there is also greater geographic spread. The Deevys have held numerous prominent positions within Irish society for centuries, with Creagh Deevy having held the position of High Sheriff of County Tipperary in 1799.

The Deevys of today are just as loyal and hardworking as their ancestors, and make a positive influence in their local communities whether in the United States of America or their beloved Ireland.

Variations of the surname Deevy

The surname Deevy is an Irish name, believed to have originated from the Gaelic Ó Duibheannaigh. It is derived from the ancient Duibhlinn, which translates in English to mean 'black pool'. The surname has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

Variants of the surname Deevy include Deevey, Deeevey, Deegan, Duibhne, Duibhneach, O'Deevy, O'Deevey, O'Deegan, and Duvane.

Spellings of the surname Deevy include Devey, D'Eeeu, D'Evay, Deevey, Duvane, and Divane.

Surnames of the same origin as Deevy include Ó hDuibheannaigh, Ó Dubháin, Ó Duibhín, Ó Dónaill, Ó Dubhghaill, and Ó Duinnín.

The name has retained its original form in most cases, particularly in Ireland. However, it has been anglicised in Scotland and other parts of the British Isles. This name may also be found in other parts of the world as a result of Irish emigration.

It is important to remember that the spelling and variants of a name often depend on the pronunciation and dialect of the region it originates from. As a result, the same surname may be found with slight variations around different areas.

Famous people with the name Deevy

• Maire Deevy: Maire Deevy (1894-1963) was an Irish playwright and stage actress prominent during the twentieth century. Deevy was known for her realistic, rural dramas that explored the plight of impoverished Irish women in the early decades of the twentieth century.
• Cathleen Deevy: Cathleen Deevy is an Irish actress, playwright, and theater director. She is the daughter of playwright Maire Deevy and the sister of playwright and actress Teresa Deevy. Her plays have been performed both in Ireland and the United Kingdom, and include The Cloud Doctor, Valley of Blood, and Striking out for Home.
• Thomas Deevy: Thomas Deevy (1909-1979) was an Irish sculptor who trained in the Dublin Metropolitan School of Art. He is known for his public sculptures, in particular the famous Great Irish Famine monument which is located in Dublin’s Custom House Square.
• Teresa Deevy: Teresa Deevy (1910-1963) was an Irish dramatist, actress and short story writer. She wrote plays, such as The Reapers and Within the Gates, which explored themes of female autonomy and self-determination, exploring the lives of women in a rural Irish setting.
• Dawson Deevy: Dawson Deevy was an Irish novelist and storyteller from the early twentieth century. He is best remembered for his novel Tom by the Gate, set on a small Irish farm in 1914, and his stories Rannafast and The Collar Worn by St Patrick.

Other surnames

Deevey