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Irish Surname - Darcy and D'Arcy

Origin of the Irish Surname Darcy

The Irish surname Darcy, also spelled as D'Arcy and Dorsey, has its origins in the Norman surname d'Arcy or de Arcy, which means "from Arcy." The name is believed to have been brought to Ireland by the Anglo-Norman knight Sir John D'Arcy during the Norman invasion of Ireland in the 12th century. The Darcy family became prominent in Irish history and settled mainly in the province of Connacht, specifically in counties Galway and Mayo.

As Irish emigrants settled in different countries, the surname Darcy spread around the world. Today, Darcy descendants can be found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Although exact statistics are not readily available, the Darcy surname and its variations are relatively common compared to other Irish surnames.

Famous People with the Surname Darcy and D'Arcy

James D'Arcy is an English actor known for his work in film, television, and theater. He has appeared in various movies, including "Master and Commander: The Far Side of the World" and "Dunkirk," and TV series like "Broadchurch" and "Agent Carter."
Paul D'Arcy is a contemporary Irish artist known for his landscape, seascape, and figurative paintings. Born in Dublin, Ireland, he studied at the National College of Art and Design and later at the Dun Laoghaire College of Art and Design. D'Arcy's work is heavily inspired by the natural beauty of the Irish landscape, particularly the coastal areas.
Patrick D'Arcy (1725-1779) was an Irish scientist, mathematician, and military engineer who contributed significantly to the field of physics. He is best known for his work on rotational dynamics.
Susan D'Arcy is a British journalist who has worked as a travel writer and editor for various publications, including The Sunday Times and The Guardian. She has been recognised for her work with several awards and accolades.
Steve Darcis is a retired Belgian professional tennis player. Although his last name is spelled differently, it is pronounced similarly to "Darcy." He achieved a career-high singles ranking of World No. 44 in 2008 and was known for his all-court game and fighting spirit.
Ray D'Arcy: Ray D'Arcy is an Irish television and radio presenter who has been working in the industry since the late 1980s. He has hosted various shows on Irish television and radio, including "The Den," "The Ray D'Arcy Show," and "The Ray D'Arcy Radio Show."
Thomas Darcy: Sir Thomas Darcy was an English nobleman, courtier, and politician who lived during the reign of King Henry VIII. He was a prominent figure in Tudor England and was executed for his involvement in the Pilgrimage of Grace, a rebellion against the king's policies.

Variations of the Irish Surname Darcy

D'Arcy: This variation of Darcy retains the original Norman spelling and is commonly found in Ireland and other English-speaking countries.
Dorsey: Dorsey is a phonetic variation of the Darcy surname that emerged as people spelled the name based on how it sounded.
de Arcy: This variation reflects the original Norman form of the surname, which means "from Arcy."

Coat of Arms of Darcy

The coat of arms associated with the Darcy surname features a silver shield with three black cinquefoils, which are stylised five-petal flowers. The crest above the shield shows a silver lion rampant holding a black cinquefoil in its right paw.

Please Note

There is often limited information available on a specific coat of arms and motto for an Irish surname. Sometimes there are many variations, sometimes none, we have compiled a representative, but by no means exhaustive, selection. Please visit our Coat of Arms and Motto page for more information.