Origins, history and genealogy of the Tracey/Tracy/Treacy family name in Ireland

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Tracey Family

An Irish Family History

Origins, history and genealogy of the Tracey/Tracy/Treacy/Treacey family name in Ireland.

The Irish name Tracey is derived from the native Irish O'Treasaigh Septs. The name is taken from the Irish word "treasach" meaning "war-like" or "fighter". It is also translated as "higher", "more powerful" or "superior". It may also be derived from the Irish word for three, with an association to the Tuatha Dé Danann.

The first reference to the surname in the Irish Annals was in 1008AD, where it states, "Gussan, son of Ua Treassach, lord of Ui-Bairrche, died."

Variations on the name

There were numerous variations of the name but in modern times usually only the following forms are found: Tracey, Tracy, Treacey and Treacy in English and Ó Treasaigh (masculine), Ní Threasaigh (feminine) in Irish. The English spelling of the name appears to be inter-changeable and different variations can be found within a family or even for an individual. When tracing ancestors all spelling of the name should be checked. For convenience the spelling Tracey is used on this website. Usually, the spelling Treacy is particular to Ireland. The following are the variations that have been found:

Surnames: McTressy, Otrassi, Otrassy, Otraye, Otreasly, Otreassi, Otreassy, Otressay, O'Tracy, O'Trassy, O'Treacy, O'Tressy, O'Tresye, Tracey, Traci, Tracie, Tracy, Tracye, Trascy, Trasey, Trasie, Trassee, Trassey, Trassy, Trassye, Trasy, Trayce, Traycey, Trayse, Trayssi, Treacey, Treacy, Treacye, Treasy, Treassey, Treffy (i.e. Tressy), Tresse, Tressey, Tressi, Tressy, Trissey, Trosse, Trossee, Trossey, Ytreassy.

Gaelic spelling: Ó Treasaigh (masculine), Ní Threasaigh (feminine), Ua Treasaigh, Uí Threasaigh, Uí Treasaigh, Uí Treassaich.

Ancient spellings: Thresaigh, Thressaich, T[r]easaigh, Treasaighi, Treassach, Treasuigh, Tresach, Tresaich, Tresaig, Tresaigh, Tressach, Tressaich, Tressaig, Tressaigh, Tresuig, Tresuigh. Treasacháin (male). Treisi, Tresi (female).

Christian names: Treasach, Tressach (male) and Trása, Treasa, Tressa (female).

Place Names

There are also a number of place names derived from the name:

In Antrim, there is the townland of Artresnahan (Ard Treasacháin) in the parish of Drummaul.

In Carlow there is Traceys crossroads (E of Fighting Cocks on the Carlow-Ballon road).

In Clare, there is the townland of Gortatrassa (Killuran).

In Donegal, there is the townland of Carntressy (Templecarn), 3 kilometers west of Pettigo.

In Down, there is the Trassey River and Valley in the Mourne Mountains.

In Galway, there is Turloughtrassa Cross (Turlach Treasaigh), the cross of Turlogh Trassa, a cross roads NW of Caherweelder townland in the civil parish of Killeely.

In Kildare, there are the townlands of Baltracey (north of Clane), Baltracey and Newtown Baltracey (SE of Naas) and Traceys crossroads (SE of Kildare town).