Surname Ossury - Meaning and Origin
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Ossury: What does the surname Ossury mean?
The last name Ossury is quite an old name, with evidence of its use dating back to the Middle Ages in various countries. However, despite its widespread prevalence, the etymology of the name is not known for certain.
The most likely explanation of the origin of the name is from mediaeval England, where it is believed it may have derived from a combination of two Old English words ‘Ehso’ and ‘weoru’, meaning ‘ong’ and ‘enclosure’, resulting in the relevant meaning of those with the name being ‘those from the enclosed farm,’ or one surrounded by a wall. This could be related to the enclosed pastures that were common in the Middle Ages, or to fortifications and other constructions that might mark a farmstead.
The name is also thought to be of Anglo-Norman origin, possibly being derived from the word 'aucshire' which had the same denotation as the Old English terms.
Surname maps produced by genealogical and surname websites suggest the name itself is not particularly common in any area, though it is most prevalent in Yorkshire in England and in Ireland.
It would appear, ultimately, that the true origin of the name Ossury continues to remain something of a mystery, shrouded in the mists of time.
Order DNA origin analysisOssury: Where does the name Ossury come from?
The last name Ossury has its origin in medieval France. It was likely derived from the Latin word "os" meaning "mouth" or "opening". The surname can be found in various parts of the world today, but is most commonly found in Ireland, England, Scotland, France, and Wales. It is relatively common in the United States, particularly in the states of Wisconsin, Maine, and New York. It can also be found in other parts of the world such as Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
In Ireland, the surname first appeared in the 14th century when the Ossury family owned vast estates in the east of the country. This family was the Earls of Ossury and were one of the most powerful families in medieval Ireland. The family rose to prominence in the 16th century when Christopher Finglas succeeded his father as the first Earl of Ossury in 1519. Unfortunately, the family’s wealth and power diminished as the years went on, and they were eventually forced to sell their properties. This led to the eventual spread of the surname across the Irish diaspora.
In other parts of the world, the surname has been taken on by many Irish immigrants, giving it a far reach. Over time, the spelling of the name has changed and mutated, resulting in several variations of the name. As a result, the surname Ossury can be found in its various forms across the globe.
Variations of the surname Ossury
Ossury is an unusual surname of Irish origin, believed to be derived from the Gaelic “Ó Saoirsigh”, meaning “descendant of Saoirsigh”. This is often translated to English as "descendant of the cheerful one". The most common variants and alternate spellings of this surname are O'Searcy, O'Searsy, O'Sercy and O'Sourcy as well as Searcy, Searsy, Sercy and Sourcy.
The surname Ossury has been recorded in various records dating back as far as the mid 15th century. Early records have been found for the Ossury family in County Cork, Ireland. This is the earliest known recorded use of the surname.
Possible variants of the surname that may be found include O'Shorey, O'Searsy, O'Shearsey, O'Sherry, Sherry, Searsey, Shorey, Sheersey, Shoresy, Shersy, O'Shoray, Sakura and Shorsay. Other interesting variants of the Ossury surname are Seersy, Seerey, Sersy and Seersay. It is possible that some of these variants are derived from a place name instead of a personal name.
Though the Ossury surname is often anglicised, some families still choose to hold true to their origins. In some cases, the name "Ó Saoirsigh" is used, or other Gaelic or Irish versions of the surname. These spellings might include Ó Sochraigh, Ó Seochraigh, Ó Suirce, Ó Siorc and Ó Sochair. It is also common to see the Irish version of the surname when researching records in Ireland.
Famous people with the name Ossury
- Brian O’Sullivan: Irish-born author, public broadcaster and former Member of the European Parliament.
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- Dr. Fidelma O’Sullivan: Irish academic, writer, and historian of science.
- John O’Sullivan: Irish former Ambassador to the United States.
- Terence O’Sullivan: English former professional footballer.
- Dr. Siobhán O'Sullivan: Irish academic and writer based in Adelaide, Australia.
- Siobhan O'Sullivan: Canadian basketball player.
- Michael O’Sullivan: Irish-born film director, writer, animator, and producer.
- Paul O’Sullivan: English former professional football player and manager.