Surname Scearcy - Meaning and Origin

Scearcy: What does the surname Scearcy mean?

The surname Scearcy is not commonly found and does not have a clear origin or meaning readily available in typical surname dictionaries or databases. It may possibly be a variant of another more common surname, or possibly a more recent surname created by combining elements of other names. Surnames can be derived from a variety of sources such as occupation, geographical location, patronymic, or even a personal characteristic. However, with a rare name like Scearcy, it can be particularly difficult to determine an exact meaning without further historical or genealogical research. The origins of this surname might be discovered through DNA testing or extensive genealogical research tracing back through generations to the point of the surname's creation. Furthermore, the spelling of surnames often changed over time and varied widely, even within the same document or family, until the spelling of names became more standardized in the last few centuries—adding another level of complexity to the search for the origin and meaning of a surname like Scearcy.

Scearcy: Where does the name Scearcy come from?

The last name Scearcy is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in states with significant Irish ancestry. The surname is not overly common, however, and is likely to be one of the more unique last names in any given area.

The Irish variants of the surname are Searcies or Searcy, and the family can trace its roots back to the county of Waterford in Ireland. The name likely has its origins in the Norman word scarci, which means ‘precipitous’ or ‘steep’. The family name was likely assumed by those living near a steep area or a place of difficult passage.

The surname Searcy can also be found in states such as Texas, Louisiana and Kentucky. This likely originated with the migration of Irish immigrants to the United States during the first half of the nineteenth century.

Today, the name is particularly plentiful in Ohio, where it ranks as the 1016th most common name. Other states with above-average concentrations of Searcys are Indiana, Texas, West Virginia, Virginia, Georgia, and Alabama.

The name also appears in Canada, with a noticeable concentration of Scearcy families in the province of Ontario. These families likely descended from Irish immigrants and later generations who left Ohio and the Midwest for new opportunities in Canada.

Variations of the surname Scearcy

Scearcy is an Irish surname, most commonly found in Ulster, but seldom seen outside of County Clare, Ireland.

The most common variants of Scearcy include Sceary, Sceary, Scarry, Searcy, Scercy, Scurry, and Skirry.

Several surnames are believed to stem from the Irish surname or share the same origin, including O'Shaughnessy, O'Shaughnysy, O'Scarry, O'Skirry, Skirry, Skerry, Scarry, and Scarry.

The spelling of the surname Scearcy is not overly widespread, most often appearing as Scarry, followed by Searcy. The spelling Sceary, on the other hand, is not commonly found and was misspelled as Skerry by the US Census in 1860. The spelling variant Scurry is equally rare.

The English spelling variant Scarlet is not used in Ireland with relation to this surname.

For those tracing genealogy, it is important to remember that those with the same surname may not be related, as the surname may have spread or changed over time due to emigration. It has been estimated that as many as 1 million Irish people left Ireland between the mid 1800s and 1920 due to the Potato Famine, creating a lot of movement in Irish surnames.

Rather than focusing on all variations of the surname, it is best to focus on tracing the one particular spelling to its origin. With the help of local records, such as old parish records, census records, and other documentation, you can trace the movement and dispersal of surnames, and get a better idea of where your family might have come from.

Famous people with the name Scearcy

• Jackie Scearcy, American singer and songwriter
• Ashley Scearcy, American fashion designer
• Bert Scearcy, English football player
• John Scearcy, American cartoonist
• Catherine Scearcy, Australian author
• Hellen Scearcy, American poet
• Tom Scearcy, American astrophysicist
• Anne Scearcy, Irish artist
• Dave Scearcy, English YouTuber
• Debbie Scearcy, American environmentalist
• Michael Scearcy, Australian medical researcher
• Norma Scearcy, British political consultant
• Peter Scearcy, Irish businessmen
• Rachel Scearcy, Canadian performer
• Sam Scearcy, Belgian musician
• Scott Scearcy, American entrepreneur
• Steve Scearcy, American computer scientist
• Sue Scearcy, Australian entrepreneur
• Victor Scearcy, French motorsport driver
• Wendy Scearcy, Brazilian actress

Other surnames

ScearScearce