Lacey — Irish Surname Origin & Meaning
Irish form: de Léis
Meaning: 'from Lassy in Normandy'
Traditional stronghold: Meath, Wexford
Pronunciation: LAY-see; Irish de Léis: deh LAYSH
History of the Lacey name
The de Lacys were among the greatest of the Anglo-Norman conquerors: Hugh de Lacy received the entire kingdom of Meath from Henry II in 1172 and built the mighty castle of Trim, while his son became Earl of Ulster. The medieval earldoms faded, but the name endured, and in Wexford, where Laceys have long been numerous, it also absorbed a native surname, Ó Laitheasa. Continental branches won extraordinary fame: Peter Lacy of Limerick became a field marshal of Russia, and his son Franz Moritz von Lacy a field marshal of Austria. Lacey remains well known in Leinster and Munster today.
Variants: Lacy · de Lacy
Famous bearers of the name
- Hugh de Lacy — Norman Lord of Meath and builder of Trim Castle, the largest Anglo-Norman castle in Ireland.
- Peter Lacy — Limerick-born soldier who became a celebrated field marshal of the Russian Empire.
- Dinny Lacey — Commander of the Third Tipperary Brigade flying column in the War of Independence.
Related names from the same part of Ireland: Murphy · Kelly · Doyle · Kavanagh · Cullen · Roche · Keating · Redmond