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![Show Contents]() Lassy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Ireland already had an established system of hereditary surnames when the Strongbownians arrived. Often the two traditions blended together quite well due to some of their basic similarities, but the incoming Anglo-Norman system brought in some forms that were uncommon amongst the Irish. One of these Anglo-Norman anomalies was the prevalence of local surnames, such as Lassy. Local names were taken from the names of a place or a geographical feature where the person lived, held land, or was born. Originally, the place names were prefixed by de, which means from in French. This type of prefix was eventually either made a part of the surname if the place name began with a vowel or was eliminated entirely. The local surnames of these Strongbownian invaders referred to places in Normandy, or more typically England, but eventually for those Anglo-Normans that remained in Ireland, the nicknames referred to places or geographical features of the island: they became true local names. The Lassy family appears to have originally lived in the settlement of Lassy in the region called Calvados in northern France. The name of this place is derived from the Gaulish personal name Lascius, which is of uncertain origin, and the local suffix -acum. The Gaelic form of the surname Lassy is de Léis. However, there is a native Irish family of County Wexford named Ó Laitheasa who anglicize their surname as Lassy. This name, which was originally Ó Flaithgheasa, is derived from the Gaelic word flaith, which means prince. 1 This was, in most cases, a nickname applied to someone with princely manners or a regal bearing. Early Origins of the Lassy familyThe surname Lassy was first found in County Limerick (Irish: Luimneach) located in Southwestern Ireland, in the province of Munster, where they had been granted lands by Strongbow after the invasion of Ireland in 1172. Early History of the Lassy familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Lassy research. Another 107 words (8 lines of text) covering the year 1298 is included under the topic Early Lassy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Lassy Spelling VariationsIt was found during an investigation of the origins of the name Lassy that church officials and medieval scribes often spelled the name as it sounded. This practice lead to a single person's being documented under many spelling variations. The name Lassy has existed in the various shapes: Lacey, Lacie, Lacy, de Lacy, Lasey, Lassey and many more. Early Notables of the Lassy familyNotable amongst the family up to this time was Hugo de Lacy of Limerick, as well as Henry de Lacy, Earl of Lincoln, who was recorded on the...
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Lassy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Lassy familyIrish immigration to North American began in the late 18th century as many Irish families desired to own their own land. This pattern of immigration grew slowly yet steadily until the 1840s. At that time, a failed crop and a growing population in Ireland resulted in the Great Potato Famine. Poverty, disease, and starvation ravaged the land. To ease their pain and suffering the Irish often looked upon North America as a solution: hundreds of thousands undertook the voyage. Their arrival meant the growth of industry and commerce for British North America and the United States. For the individual Irishman, it meant survival and hope, and the opportunity for work, freedom, and ownership of land. The early immigration and passenger lists revealed many bearing the name Lassy: John Lacey, who settled in Virginia in 1677; Elizabeth Lacey with her husband James and son and daughter settled in Georgia in 1737; William Lacy settled in Virginia in 1635.
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Meritas augentur honores
Motto Translation: Honours are enhanced by deserts.
- MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
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