anglicised
Anglicisation or anglicization is a form of cultural assimilation whereby something non-English becomes assimilated into or influenced by the culture of England. It can be sociocultural, in which a non-English place adopts the English language ...
form of Ó Díomasaigh, 'descendant of Díomasach'; this personal name is the Irish adjective ''díomasach'' 'proud'. The family originated in the
Kingdom of Uí Failghe
The kingdom of Uí Fháilghe, (early spelling) or (modern spelling), () was a Gaelic-Irish kingdom which existed to 1550, the name of which (though not the territory) is preserved in the name of County Offaly (), Ireland.
County Offaly was ...
.
According to John Grenham:
Another source states:
According to historian C. Thomas Cairney, the O'Dempseys were one of the chiefly families of the Ui Failghe who in turn were a tribe from the
Dumnonii
The Dumnonii or Dumnones were a Britons (historical), British List of ancient Celtic peoples and tribes, tribe who inhabited Dumnonia, the area now known as Cornwall and Devon (and some areas of present-day Dorset and Somerset) in the further pa ...
or
Laigin
The Laigin, modern spelling Laighin (), were a Gaelic population group of early Ireland. They gave their name to the Kingdom of Leinster, which in the medieval era was known in Irish as ''Cóiced Laigen'', meaning "Fifth/province of the Leinste ...
who were the third wave of
Celts
The Celts ( , see Names of the Celts#Pronunciation, pronunciation for different usages) or Celtic peoples ( ) were a collection of Indo-European languages, Indo-European peoples. "The Celts, an ancient Indo-European people, reached the apoge ...
to settle in
Ireland
Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...
An Ó Diomasaigh genealogy records the following:
''Flann m. Máel Ruanaid m. Cellaich m. Máel Augra m. Conchobuir m. Áeda m. Tomaltajich m. Flaind m. Díumasaich m. Congaile m. Forannáin m. Congaile m. Máel h-Umai m. Cathail m. Bruidge m. Nath Í m. Rosa Failgi.''
The final person may be identical with
Failge Berraide
Rus Failge (''fl.'' AD 507–514), also known as Ros Failgeach, was the King of the Uí Failge of what became County Offaly.
As the eponymous ancestor of the Uí Failge, he may be the son of the high king of Ireland, Cathair Mór, said to have l ...
(fl. 507–514), a king of the Uí Failghe and of
Laigin
The Laigin, modern spelling Laighin (), were a Gaelic population group of early Ireland. They gave their name to the Kingdom of Leinster, which in the medieval era was known in Irish as ''Cóiced Laigen'', meaning "Fifth/province of the Leinste ...
descent.
Dempseys in the annals
The
Irish annals
A number of Irish annals, of which the earliest was the Chronicle of Ireland, were compiled up to and shortly after the end of the 17th century. Annals were originally a means by which monks determined the yearly chronology of feast days. Over ti ...
list a number of members of the family:
* 789: Áedh randfather of Máelaugraiwas slain by Óengus son of Mugrón, king of Uí Failghe, in the oratory of Kilclonfert.
* 1141: Donnchadh, son of Goll Gaibhle, i.e. Ua Conchobhair Failghe, was killed by the Uí Failghe themselves, i.e. the Clann-Maelughra.
* 1161: Domhnall, son of Conghalach, son of Cuaifne Ua Conchobhair Failghe, Tanist of Uí Failghe, was slain by the Clann-Maelughra.
* 1164: Maelseachlainn Ua Conchobhair Failghe, was slain by the Clann-Maelughra.
* 1193: Diarmait, son of Cubrogam Ua Diumasaigh, chief of Clann-Mailighra and king of Uí Failghe for a long time, died.
* 1383: Dermot O'Dempsy, Lord of Kinel-Maoilughra, was slain by the English.
* 1394: Thomas O'Dempsy, heir to the lordship of Clann-Maoilughra, was slain by the English.
Other Dempsey families
An unrelated family, rendered in Irish as Mac Diomasaigh, are found in
County Antrim
County Antrim (named after the town of Antrim, County Antrim, Antrim, ) is one of the six counties of Northern Ireland, located within the historic Provinces of Ireland, province of Ulster. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the c ...
and its neighbouring counties.
Bearers of the name
Notable people with the surname Dempsey include:
*
Amy Dempsey
Amy Jo Dempsey FRSA (born 1963) is an independent scholar and art historian. Her book ''Styles, schools and movements'' (2002) has received two editions and has been translated into several languages.
Early life
Amy Dempsey was born in 1963. She ...
(born 1963), American art historian
* Bill Dempsey (born 1942), former Australian rules footballer
* Bill Dempsey (footballer) (1896–1967), English footballer
*
Candace Dempsey
Candace Dempsey is an American author, journalist and travel writer. She has written for several magazines in the United States, and is the author of ''Murder in Italy'' (2010), a study of the 2007 murder of Meredith Kercher and the trials of Am ...
, American author, journalist and travel writer
*
Cedric Dempsey
Cedric Warren Dempsey (April 14, 1932 – April 5, 2025) was an American sports administrator who became the third executive director of the National Collegiate Athletic Association (NCAA) from 1994 to 2003. Before leaving the post in 2002, Demp ...
(1932–2025), American sports executive
*
Chester Dempsey
Chester E. Dempsey (July 20, 1896 – October 4, 1969) was an American farmer and politician.
Born in the town of Merton, Wisconsin, Dempsey owned and operated a dairy farm. He served on the Waukesha County, Wisconsin Board of Supervisors and in ...
(1896–1969) American farmer and politician
*
Clint Dempsey
Clinton Drew Dempsey (; born March 9, 1983) is an American former professional soccer player who is a sports analyst on the television program '' Soccer on CBS Sports''. He played as a forward and midfielder for Premier League clubs Fulham and ...
(born 1983), American soccer player
*
Courtenay Dempsey
Courtenay Dempsey (born 28 August 1987) is a former professional Australian rules footballer who played for the Essendon Football Club in the Australian Football League (AFL).
In 2024, Dempsey was named at Number 94 in Don The Stat’s Top 100 ...
(born 1987), Australian rules footballer
*
Damien Dempsey
Damien Dempsey (born 9 June 1975) is an Irish singer and songwriter who mixes traditional Irish folk contemporary lyrics that deliver social and political commentaries on Irish society. Damien sings in his native, working-class accent in the Eng ...
, Irish singer and songwriter
*
Dan Dempsey
Dan Dempsey (15 January 1901 – 9 January 1960) was an Australian rugby league national and Queensland state representative player. He played as a and is considered one of the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century.
Biography Club ca ...
, Australian rugby league footballer
*
Denis Dempsey
Denis Dempsey (1826 – 10 January 1896) was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.
Details
He was appr ...
(1826–1896), Irish soldier, recipient of the Victoria Cross
*
Donald Dempsey
Donald A. Dempsey Sr. (11 June 1932 – 27 January 2005) was an American recording executive who helped launch Ozzy Osbourne and Merle Haggard.
He would often visit his brother and sister-in-law in Connecticut, Norman Dempsey Sr and Dorothy ...
(c. 1932 – 2005), American recording executive
*
Ed Dempsey
Ed Dempsey was the head coach of the Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League. He moved to the lower-tier Spruce Kings after being dismissed as the head coach for the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League
...
, Canadian ice hockey coach
* Frank Dempsey (1925–2013), American football player
* Gary Dempsey, multiple people
* George Dempsey, multiple people
* Girvan Dempsey (born 1975), Irish rugby union footballer
* Henry Dempsey, pilot who survived being sucked out of an airborne Beechcraft 99 aircraft in 1987
*
Holli Dempsey
Holli Cara-Rhian Dempsey (born 11 May 1990) is an English actress, writer and comedian. On television, she is known for her roles in the ITV drama ''The Ice Cream Girls'' (2013), the Channel 4 series '' Derek'' (2013–2014), the E4 series '' ...
, British actor
*
Ian Dempsey
Ian Dempsey (born 16 January 1961) is an Irish presenter of television and breakfast radio. He is the long-running presenter of the breakfast show on Today FM, self-titled ''The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show'', which runs from 6-9 am each weekday. ...
(born 1961), Irish radio presenter
*
Jack Dempsey
William Harrison "Jack" Dempsey (June 24, 1895 – May 31, 1983), nicknamed Kid Blackie and The Manassa Mauler, was an American boxer who competed from 1914 to 1927, and world heavyweight champion from 1919 to 1926.
One of the most iconic athl ...
Jillian Dempsey
Jillian T. Dempsey (born January 19, 1991) is an American professional ice hockey player for the Boston Fleet of the Professional Women's Hockey League (PWHL). The former captain of the Boston Pride of the now-defunct Premier Hockey Federatio ...
(born 1991), American ice hockey player
* Jillian Lee Dempsey, American inorganic chemist
* John Dempsey, multiple people
* Judy Dempsey (born 1956), Irish journalist and researcher
* Julia Dempsey (known as Sister Mary Joseph Dempsey), American religious sister, nurse and hospital administrator
*
Kyle Dempsey
Kyle Michael Dempsey (born 17 September 1995) is an English professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Bolton Wanderers.
Early life
Dempsey was born in Whitehaven, Cumbria. His father Michael Dempsey played rugby league profess ...
(born 1995) English footballer
* Lawrence Dempsey (died 1690), an Irish soldier
* Lorcan Dempsey (born 1958), Irish library information expert
* Luke Dempsey (born 1979/1980), Irish Gaelic football manager
* Mark Dempsey, multiple people
*
Martin Dempsey
Martin “Marty” Edward Dempsey (born 14 March 1952), is an American retired military officer who served as the 18th chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff from October 2011 to September 2015. He previously served as the 37th Chief of Staff of ...
(born 1952), American general, 18th chairman, US Joint Chiefs of Staff
*
Michael Dempsey
Michael Stephen Dempsey (born 29 November 1958) is an English musician, best known as the bassist for the Cure and The Associates (band), the Associates.
Biography
Dempsey was born in Salisbury, Southern Rhodesia (now known as Harare, Zimbabwe ...
, multiple people
* Mick Dempsey, Irish Gaelic footballer
* Miles Dempsey (1896–1969), British general of World War II
* Nathan Dempsey (born 1974), Canadian ice hockey player
*
Nick Dempsey
Nicholas Charles Dempsey (born 13 August 1980 in Norwich) is a retired British windsurfer, who lives in Poole, Dorset. He became the first man to win three Olympics medals in windsurfing when he won silver in the 2016 Rio Olympics, adding to a ...
(born 1980), English windsurfer
* Nicola Dempsey (fl. 2015–), one half of comedy duo Flo and Joan
*
Noel Dempsey
Noel Dempsey (born 6 January 1953) is an Irish former Fianna Fáil politician who served as Minister for Transport from 2007 to 2011, Minister for Communications, Marine and Natural Resources from 2004 to 2007, Minister for Education and Scie ...
(born 1953), Irish politician
* Nonpareil Dempsey (1862–1895), ring name of Irish-born American boxer John Kelly
*
Patrick Dempsey
Patrick Galen Dempsey (born January 13, 1966) is an American actor and racing driver best known for playing neurosurgeon Derek Shepherd in ''Grey's Anatomy'' (2005–15; 2020–21). He is also known for his leading man romantic film roles, such ...
(born 1966), American actor and race car driver
*
Paul Dempsey
Paul Anthony Dempsey (born 25 May 1976) is an Australian musician. He is best known as the lead singer, guitarist and principal lyricist of rock group Something for Kate. Dempsey released his debut solo album, '' Everything Is True'', on 20 A ...
(born 1976), Australian rock musician
* Ray Dempsey, Irish Gaelic footballer
* Rey Dempsey, retired American college football coach
* Richard Dempsey (born 1974), English actor
*
Fianna Fáil
Fianna Fáil ( ; ; meaning "Soldiers of Destiny" or "Warriors of Fál"), officially Fianna Fáil – The Republican Party (), is a centre to centre-right political party in Ireland.
Founded as a republican party in 1926 by Éamon de ...
politician, TD 2002–2007
*
Travis Demsey
Travis Demsey is an Australian musician who served as the former drummer for The Living End
The Living End is an Australian punk rock band from Melbourne, formed in 1994. Since 2002, the line-up consists of Chris Cheney (vocals, guitar), Sc ...
, born Travis Dempsey, Australian musician
As a given name:
* Dempsey Bob (born 1948), Canadian woodcarver
* Dempsey Burges (1751–1800), American politician, Congressman 1795–1799
*
Dempsey Wilson
Dempsey Cothrin Wilson (March 11, 1927 – April 23, 1971) was an American racecar driver.
Wilson was born in Los Angeles, California. He began his racing career on Southern California short tracks, racing roadsters, then midgets and stock c ...
(1927–1971), American racecar driver
* P. Dempsey Tabler (1876–1956), American actor, athlete and businessman
Fictional Characters:
* "Tank" Dempsey (born before 1917), fictional U.S Marine from ''Call of Duty: Black Opss Zombies mode
* Zach Dempsey, a character in the novel and Netflix series ''
13 Reasons Why
''13 Reasons Why'' (also stylized as ''TH1RTEEN R3ASONS WHY'') is an American teen drama television series based on the 2007 novel '' Thirteen Reasons Why'' by author Jay Asher. Developed for Netflix by Brian Yorkey and with Selena Gomez ser ...
''
See also
*
Irish clans
Irish clans are traditional kinship groups sharing a common surname and heritage and existing in a lineage-based society, originating prior to the 17th century. A clan (or in Irish, plural ) included the chief and his Patrilineality, patrilineal ...
References
* Matthews, Thomas (1903) ''Account of the O'Dempseys, Chiefs of Clan Maliere''