Surname Dempsy - Meaning and Origin

Dempsy: What does the surname Dempsy mean?

The last name Dempsy is believed to be of Irish or Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Díomasaigh or Mac Díomasaigh. Its literal translation is "son of Diomasach". The name is believed to mean “a follower of Dimas” or “son/descendant of the judge.”

Dempsy is an uncommon but well-established surname in Ireland and Scotland, and though its exact country of origin is unknown, it is thought to have first arisen in counties Cork and Galway in Ireland. It is believed that some of the first bearers of this surname came from the ancient clan that was related to the great priest-king Niall of the Nine Hostages and the Ui Niall royal dynasty.

Many Dempsys have gone on to make their mark in various fields - from showbusiness to political - and there are believed to be around 1,400 people bearing the name in Ireland and Scotland today. The name is also very popular in countries such as Australia, the USA, Canada, and New Zealand.

Their family motto is “Always prepared” which accurately represents the determination and perseverance that these people are known for. So, if you bear the name Dempsy, you can be proud of the strength and courage of your ancestors - who have all earned their families’ place in Irish and Scottish history.

Dempsy: Where does the name Dempsy come from?

The last name Dempsy is most commonly found in Ireland, specifically the Irish provinces of Leinster and Munster. Dempsy is thought to originate from the O'Dempsey clan, which derived from the Gaelic 'O'Diomasaigh'. Although the origin of the name is uncertain, it is believed to have originated in the fourth century. In more recent history, the name is thought to have become prevalent in Ottoman-controlled territories, such as present-day Turkey and the Middle East.

In the modern day, Dempsy is mostly found in both the United Kingdom and the United States. In the United Kingdom, the name is most commonly found in England, although it can also be found in Scotland, Wales, and Northern Ireland. In the United States, it is most common in New York, New Jersey, California, and Florida, although it can be found all across the country.

In general, the Dempsy name is widely dispersed across the world. It is especially common in the Irish diaspora, with many Dempseys spread across Europe, North America, South America, and Australasia. It is also common amongst Irish Americans, as many families have adopted the surname over recent generations. The name is quite popular in Ireland still today, especially in the provinces of Leinster and Munster.

Variations of the surname Dempsy

Dempsy is an Anglicization of an Irish surname, which is widely believed to have been derived from the Irish surname Ó Díomasaigh. The most common variant of Dempsy is Dempsey, but other variants include Dempster, Dempse, Dempster, Quintana, Dimpsey, and Clemens.

The most common spelling of Dempsy is Dempsey. This is an anglicized version of the Gaelic Ó Díomasaigh, which is derived from the word “diomasach”, meaning “proud” or “feisty”. It is a common Irish surname that can be traced back to medieval origins in County Kerry.

Other variants of Dempsy are Dempster, which is derived from “dampster” meaning a cabinet maker or joiner of wood, Quintana, which is derived from the Latin word “quintana” meaning “fifth”, Dimpsey, which is derived from the Old English word “dimp” which means “imperceptible”, and Clemens, which means “mild” or “gentle” in Latin.

Dempsy is a surname traditionally associated with an Irish heritage, however, it is also a very popular surname in the United States, where it has become more widely distributed due to immigration from Europe. A search of the Social Security Death Index, which tracks death records in the US over several decades, reveals that this variant is one of the most common surnames currently in use in the United States. As such, the surname Dempsy occurs in the United States with a variety of spellings and associated surnames including Dempsey, Dempster, Quintana, Dimpsey, and Clemens.

Famous people with the name Dempsy

• Mike D'Amico, NBA basketball player
• Chris Dempsey, American soccer player
• Pat Dempsey, American actor
• Stephen D'Amico, American author and entrepreneur
• Michael Dempsey, English musician
• Carl D'Amico, Italian-American photographer
• John D'Amico, American actor and voice actor
• Marie D'Amico, American actress
• Mary Dempsey, Irish OCI politician
• Pat D'Amico, American football player
• Dan Dempsey, American producer and writer
• Joe Dempsey, American comic book writer
• Vincent Dempsey, Australian lawyer and chess champion
• Eugene Dempsey, Irish Fianna Fáil politician
• George Dempsey, American football player
• Caroline Dempsey, British actress
• Ray Dempsey, American professional baseball player
• Tom Dempsey, American football player
• Ken Dempsey American Youth Theatre director and producer
• John Dempsey, American playwright and librettist

Other surnames

DempseyDempskiDempster