Surname Lucey - Meaning and Origin

Lucey: What does the surname Lucey mean?

The surname Lucey is of Irish origin and derives from the Gaelic Ó Lúcaidh (descendant of Lúcaidh). It is believed to be a variant of the surname Lucas, which is derived from the Latin name Lucas (from the Greek Loukas), meaning “one from Lucania”—Lucania being an ancient region of southern Italy.

In Ireland, the Lucey surname is primarily found in County Cork and County Kerry, suggesting that the original bearer of the name likely settled in Munster at some point in the past and that the surname was then passed down from generation to generation.

The name may also be related to the word “luce,” meaning “light,” suggesting that the original bearer of the surname may have had a light complexion. The surname may also derive from the name “Larkin,” a diminutive of Laurence, meaning “crowned with laurel.”

Since the origin of the surname is not absolutely clear, the exact meaning of the surname is open to interpretation. In general, however, its Irish roots indicate that it is likely derived from either a geographic origin, a physical characteristic, or a personal name.

Lucey: Where does the name Lucey come from?

The last name Lucey is most commonly encountered in Ireland and the United Kingdom. In England, the name is most densely concentrated in the counties of Northamptonshire, Gloucestershire, and Wiltshire, with smaller numbers in the East Midlands. In Ireland, the greatest concentration of the surname is found in the counties of Cork, Kerry, and Limerick, with smaller numbers in other parts of the country.

Outside of the British Isles, the name is found in much smaller numbers in the United States, Canada, Australia, and other countries of the British diaspora where individuals bearing the name have emigrated. In the United States, the surname is most often found in greater numbers in the Mid-Atlantic and Northeastern States, especially New York, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Connecticut. In Canada, Lucey is more common in Ontario and Quebec.

Overall, it is estimated that the surname is borne by approximately 1,150-2,500 individuals around the world, with the vast majority living in the British Isles.

Variations of the surname Lucey

The surname Lucey is a patronymic surname of Irish origin derived from the Gaelic surname Ó Luiche. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin as Lucey include Luce, Lucie, Lucey, Luckie, Lukey, Luecky, Luskey, Luci, Luca, Luke, and Lück.

The Lucey variant can be found in the areas of Munster, Ireland, particularly in County Cork. spellings and surnames related to the variant have been documented in different parts of the United Kingdom, including England, Scotland and Wales. In some instances, the surname has been Anglicised from the original Gaelic to Lucie or Luke.

Lucey is an uncommon variant and surname associated with the clan MacLughach of Uí Liatháin. As with many other families in Ireland, certain branches of the family adopted varying ways of spelling the surname. The highest concentration of surnames related to Lucey is found in areas around Cork, Limerick and Galway.

The name is also found in other countries, including Australia, Canada, the United States and France. Within the United States, Lucey has been particularly prevalent in Massachusetts and Rhode Island. Variants, spellings and other surnames related to Lucey are also found in areas of Australia, specifically the states of Victoria and New South Wales.

Famous people with the name Lucey

• Agnes Lucey: Irish Member of Parliament, Galway East
• Barney Lucey: professional wrestler and referee
• Betty Lucey: feminist activist, folk singer and songwriter
• Ed Lucey: American actor
• Joe Lucey: American singer and songwriter
• John Lucey: Governor of the Irish Free State
• Martin Lucey: Irish hurler
• Mary Lucey: Irish artist and art historian
• Mike Lucey: Australian motorcycle speedway rider
• Pat Lucey: 45th Governor of Wisconsin
• Peter Lucey: Irish-born American computer scientist
• Sean Lucey: Irish Gaelic footballer
• Steve Lucey: American voice actor
• Terry Lucey: American photographer
• Timothy Lucey: Irish artist and broadcaster

Other surnames

LuceLucero