Contents [hide]

Tracey History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Citations

Tracey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Tracey surname was originally a habitational name, taken on from a place name in Normandy, possibly from Tracy-Bocage or Tracy-sur-Mer in Calvados. These place names are said to derived from the Gallo-Roman personal name Thracius. More specifically, "the Norman thus designated on the Roll [of Battle Abbey], derived his name from the town of Traci, in his native Duchy. His descendants became Lords of Barnstaple in Devon, and enjoyed a high repute in that country." 1

Early Origins of the Tracey family

The surname Tracey was first found in Devon, where they were Lords of Barnstaple. This line was descended from a Norman family from Tracy near Vire in Carne in Normandy. William de Tracy is said to have come to England in 1066, and is mentioned by the poet Wace, in his verse history of Britain, as being at Hastings. Henry de Tracy received a charter for Barnstaple Priory in 1146.

"Henry de Traci is said to have been the only man in Devonshire who stood firm to Stephen against the Empress Maud. He was succeeded in his barony by his son, his grandson, and his great-grandson, but the latter, who died in 1273, left only a daughter. Eve, married to Guy de Brienne." 2

We found this other entry for the same person: "Nymet Tracy, commonly called Bow, which once had a market, granted to Henry Tracy in 1258, and which was the scene of a skirmish between Sir Hardress Waller and some Royalist troops, wherein the former was successful." 3

Other early mentions of the surname include Henry Traci, who was listed as a Knight Templar in Oxfordshire in 1139; Henry de Traci listed in 1148 in Winton, Hampshire; and Oliver de Trazi listed in the Pipe Rolls of Devon in 1166. 4

William de Tracy (d. circa 1189), Lord of the Manor of Toddington, Gloucestershire, was one of the knights who murdered Archbishop of Canterbury Thomas Becket, in 1170. 1

He "belonged to a family which in the twelfth century held considerable property in Devonshire and Gloucestershire; but his place in the pedigree has never been ascertained. " 5

However another source disagrees with his heritage: "he was the second son of John de Sudeley and Grace de Traci, heiress of another William, believed to be a natural son of Henry I. He probably succeeded to his mother's inheritance, as he took her name, and is described by the monkish chroniclers as a brave soldier, but of parricidal wickedness. After the bloody tragedy at Canterbury, he and his three accomplices sought refuge at Knaresborough Castle, from whence they went to throw themselves at the feet of Pope Alexander III. at Rome. He sentenced them to expiate their sin in the Holy Land, and they accordingly set out together on a pilgrimage to Jerusalem." 2

Early History of the Tracey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tracey research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1569, 1593, 1620, 1640, 1643, 1648, 1655, 1662, 1735, 1939 and 1969 are included under the topic Early Tracey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tracey Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Tracey, Tracy, Trassey, Trasey, Tracye, de Traci and others.

Early Notables of the Tracey family

Outstanding amongst the family at this time was Sir Robert Tracy, 2nd Viscount Tracy (c. 1593-1662), an English politician who sat in the House of Commons between 1620 and 1640, he fought for the Royalists in the English Civil War. His son was Robert Tracy, 2nd Viscount Tracy of Rathcoole; and his son, Robert Tracy (1655-1735), an English judge from Toddington, Gloucestershire. Richard Tracy (d. 1569), was...
Another 65 words (5 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Tracey Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tracey Ranking

In the United States, the name Tracey is the 4,790^th most popular surname with an estimated 4,974 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Tracey family to Ireland

Some of the Tracey family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 68 words (5 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tracey migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Tracey Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Sarah Tracey, who landed in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 7
Stephen Tracey, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 7
Thomas Tracey, who arrived in Salem Massachusetts in 1630
Robert Tracey, who settled in Virginia in 1653

Tracey Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Catherine Tracey, a bonded passenger, who arrived in Maryland in 1733
Dorothy Tracey, who settled in Maryland in 1749
Patrick Tracey, who arrived in Newburyport, Massachusetts in 1773
James Tracey, who arrived in New York, NY in 1778

Tracey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Hugh Tracey, who arrived in America in 1811 7
James Tracey, aged 45, who arrived in New York in 1812 7
Thomas Tracey, aged 30, who landed in New York in 1812 7
John Tracey, aged 29, who landed in Virginia in 1813 7
William Tracey, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tracey migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Tracey Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

David Tracey, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Margaret Tracey, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
Mary Tracey, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1750
Thomas Tracey, who was on record in St. John's, Newfoundland, in 1767 8
Mr. Timothy Tracey U.E. who settled in Home District [York County], Ontario c. 1784 9

Tracey Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Daniel Tracey, who was on record at St. John's, Newfoundland in 1805 8
Margaret Tracey, aged 26, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Trafalgar" from Galway, Ireland
Michael Tracey, aged 26, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1834 aboard the brig "Charlotte" from Cork, Ireland
Miss. Ann Tracey who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Kenny" departing from the port of Waterford, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in 1847 10
Mrs. Ann Tracey, aged 40 who immigrated to Canada, arriving at the Grosse Isle Quarantine Station in Quebec aboard the ship "Larch" departing from the port of Sligo, Ireland but died on Grosse Isle in August 1847 10
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tracey migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Tracey Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Miss Ann Tracey, English convict who was convicted in Middlesex, England for life, transported aboard the "Britannia III" on 18th July 1798, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11

Tracey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. William Tracey, (b. 1800), aged 19, English farmer who was convicted in Warwick, Warwickshire, England for 7 years, transported aboard the "Eliza" on 22nd September 1819, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1843 12
William Tracey, a hatter, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
Arthur Tracey, a smith, who arrived in Van Diemen’s Land (now Tasmania) sometime between 1825 and 1832
Mr. James Tracey, (b. 1819), aged 21, Irish gentleman's servant who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for life for wounding with intent, transported aboard the "British Sovereign" on 16th December 1840, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 13
Miss Mary Tracey, Welsh convict who was convicted in Ruthin, Denbighshire, Wales for 7 years, transported aboard the "Elizabeth and Henry" on 11th February 1848, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) 14
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tracey migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Tracey Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Bernard Tracey, (b. 1840), aged 22, Irish farm labourer from County Tyrone, travelling aboard the ship "Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 25th September 1862 15
Mr. Edward Tracey, (b. 1842), aged 20, Irish farm labourer from County Tyrone, travelling aboard the ship "Mersey" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 25th September 1862 15
Mr. Edward Tracey, (b. 1826), aged 37, British shoemaker travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lancashire Witch" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 13th October 1863 15
Mrs. Lucy Tracey, (b. 1828), aged 35, British settler travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Lancashire Witch" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 13th October 1863 15
Francis Tracey a farmer, who arrived in Auckland, New Zealand aboard the ship "Sir George Grey" in 1864
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Tracey (post 1700) +

Doreen Isabelle Tracey (1943-2018), English-born, American actress who appeared on the original Mickey Mouse Club television show from 1955 to 1958
Sean Patrick Tracey (b. 1980), American former professional baseball right-handed pitcher
Patricia Ann Tracey (b. 1950), the first American woman to be promoted to the rank of vice admiral
Charles Tracey (1847-1905), U.S. Representative from New York
John Joseph Tracey (1933-1978), American football linebacker
Spencer Bonaventure Tracey (1900-1967), American theatrical and film actor ranked ninth among the Greatest Male Stars of All Time by the American Film Institute 16
John Plank Tracey (1836-1910), American soldier and politician, U.S. Representative from Missouri
John Plank Tracey (1836-1910), American Republican politician, U.S. Representative from Missouri 7th District, 1895-97; Member of Missouri State House of Representatives, 1903-04 17
John B. Tracey, American politician, Mayor of Taunton, Massachusetts, 1906-07 17
Jill Tracey, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Iowa, 1972 17
... (Another 16 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Tracey family +

HMS Repulse

Mr. Percy Tracey, British Stoker, who sailed into battle on the HMS Repulse (1941) and survived the sinking 18

SS Atlantic

George Tracey, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking

Citations +

Burke, John Bernard, The Roll of Battle Abbey. London: Edward Churton, 26, Holles Street, 1848, Print.
Cleveland, Dutchess of The Battle Abbey Roll with some Account of the Norman Lineages. London: John Murray, Abermarle Street, 1889. Print. Volume 3 of 3
Worth, R.N., A History of Devonshire London: Elliot Stock, 62, Paternoster Row, E.G., 1895. Digital
Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Seary E.R., Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland, Montreal: McGill's-Queen's Universtity Press 1998 ISBN 0-7735-1782-0
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 58)
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Britannia
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 10th February 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eliza
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 30th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/british-sovereign
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 15th March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth-and-henry
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Spencer Tracey. (Retrieved 2010, September 27) Spencer Tracey. Retrieved from http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Spencer_Tracy
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 26) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
HMS Repulse Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listrepulsecrew.html