Surname Darcey - Meaning and Origin
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Darcey: What does the surname Darcey mean?
The surname Darcey is a locational surname derived from the place-name Darcey, which is located in northwest France near Poitiers. It is thought to have eventually been Anglicized to Darcey from its original French spelling 'D'Arcy'.
One version of the surname origin story states that the original family that bore the name Darcy traced their lineage to one particular man, who likely had the forename Marcey, who was based at some point during the 10th century at the place-name Darcy. It is possible that the place-name may have been named in his honour.
The origin of the forename Marcey remains unclear however. It is likely related to the Latin forename Marcius, itself derived from the Latin verb 'marsciare', which was related to the god of war Mars.
The name Darcey is a popular surname throughout Europe, but is usually found most commonly in the US, Canada and Britain. In America particularly, the vast majority of people trace their Darcey heritage to Irish and English immigrants from the 18th century.
However, no matter the spelling or origin, the name Darcey has represented strength, bravery and loyalty since its first use, a representation that will likely remain strong for many centuries to come.
Order DNA origin analysisDarcey: Where does the name Darcey come from?
Darcey is an English surname which is most commonly associated with England and Scotland. It is believed to be derived from two French forenames; Darcel, meaning “fort”, and D'Arcy, meaning “from Arcy”. The name ultimately originated from the French region of Arcy located near Calais.
According to the Ancestry UK Census 1996-2016 Darcey is the 30436th most common surname in the UK; meaning it is quite rare. Today, Darcey is still predominantly found in England and Scotland, but it is becoming increasingly common in other countries, too.
For example, Darcey was the 14308th most common surname in the United States Census in 2000. That said, its frequency in the United States is still lower than other countries. Other countries where the name Darcey is growing in popularity include Canada, Australia, and New Zealand.
The Darcey surname is particularly prevalent in the areas of Wiltshire and Gloucestershire. This may be attributed to its roots on the Isle of Wight in the 18th Century. The name was brought to mainland Britain by French Huguenot exiles.
Overall, although the name Darcey is still relatively uncommon in some countries, it is growing in popularity throughout the world. It is becoming particularly common in those countries where French influence has been strongest, including England, Scotland, Canada, and the United States.
Variations of the surname Darcey
The Darcey surname is a French variant of the Norman d'Arcy. Though the spelling of the surname has changed over the centuries, its origins remain the same. Variations of the Darcey surname include Darsey, D'Arcy, Darcy, D'Arsie, Darse, Darce, Darcye, Darse, D'Arcey, D'Arsley, Darcey, Darsye, and Darsy.
The French d'Arcy surname was introduced to England after the Norman Conquest of 1066. It is believed to have begun as a nickname for someone who was haughty. It is also possible that the surname is related to the old French word "arcy" which meant eagle. The descendants of d'Arcy families made their way to Ireland and are found mainly in County Roscommon, with smaller numbers in other parts of the country.
The Darcey spelling became popularized in America. It is believed to have been adopted by immigrants in the 17th and 18th centuries. It is most commonly found in states such as New York, California, Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, and Texas.
Though the spelling of the Darcey surname may have changed over the years, its origins remain the same. Variations of this surname can be found in England, Ireland, and the United States. All of these spellings are derived from the same French d'Arcy surname.
Famous people with the name Darcey
- Darcey Bussell: Darcey Bussell is a former principal dancer with Britain’s Royal Ballet. After her retirement in 2007, she went on to become a judge on the globally renowned BBC show, Strictly Come Dancing, and has since become a household name.
- Betty Darcey: Betty Darcey is the matriarch of the Darcey family who live in rural Canada. She is a beloved member of the community and is known for her honed gardening skills.
- Thomas Darcey: Thomas Darcey is a famous computer programmer who is known for his contributions to the development of the web hosting software called “PHP”.
- Jesse Darcey: Jesse Darcey is an up and coming actor from the UK who is known for his roles on popular UK drama series such as Midsomer Murders, White Coupe and The Crown.
- Robert Darcey: Robert Darcey is a renowned composer, conductor and pianist from Ireland. He is also known for his choral works which are often performed in larger concert venues.
- Aaron Darcey: Aaron Darcey is an American fashion designer and entrepreneur. He is known for his streetwear collection and was recently featured in Vogue magazine.
- Heather Darcey: Heather Darcey is a celebrated photographer and visual artist from the US. She has had her works featured in various galleries, as well as in various international publications.
- Emma Darcey: Emma Darcey is an award-winning author who has written various YA and fiction novels, including Code Name Verity and The Betrayal of Margaret Truman.
- Katarina Darcey: Katarina Darcey is a renowned opera singer from Canada who is known for her stunning voice, as well as her work with various charities.