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Tracy History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Suggested Reading Citations

Tracy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
England
Ireland

The Tracy 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 Tracy family

The surname Tracy 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 Tracy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Tracy 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 Tracy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Tracy Spelling Variations

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

Early Notables of the Tracy 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 Robe...
Richard Tracy (d. 1569), was a Protestant reformer, descended from a family which had been settled at Toddington, Gloucestershire, since the twelfth century. 5
Sir John Tracy (d. 1648) created Baron Tracy, and Viscount Tracy in the Peerage of Ireland on 12 January 1643
Robert Tracy (1655-1735), was an English judge, born in 1655 at Toddington in Gloucestershire, the eldest son of Robert Tracy, second viscount and Baron Tracy of Rathcoole. 5

Tracy Ranking

In the United States, the name Tracy is the 1,082^nd most popular surname with an estimated 27,357 people with that name. 6

Migration of the Tracy family to Ireland

Some of the Tracy 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.

Tracy migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Tracy Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Stephen Tracy, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 7
Mrs. Tryphosa Tracy, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 8
Child Tracy, who arrived in Plymouth, Massachusetts in 1623 aboard the ship "Anne" 8
Robert Tracy, who landed in Virginia in 1653 7
Robert and Mary Tracy, who settled in Virginia in 1654
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tracy Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Alexander Tracy, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1710-1711 7
John Tracy, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1768 7

Tracy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Margaret Tracy, aged 2, who landed in New York, NY in 1803 7
Rose Tracy, aged 32, who arrived in New York, NY in 1803 7
James Tracy, aged 30, who arrived in New York, NY in 1803 7
Hugh Tracy, who landed in New York, NY in 1811 7
Mary Tracy, who arrived in New York, NY in 1816 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tracy migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Tracy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Patrick Tracy, who arrived in Canada in 1813
Bridget Tracy, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1825
George Tracy, who arrived in Canada in 1831
Joseph Tracy, aged 20, who arrived in Quebec in 1833
Thomas Tracy, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1835
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Tracy migration to Australia +

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

Tracy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Michael Tracy, (Tracey), (b. 1780), aged 29, Irish convict who was convicted in Sligo, Ireland for 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the "Boyd" on 10th March 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he was executed in 1820 9
Miss Mary Tracy, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Experiment" on 21st January 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. Edward Tracy, Irish convict who was convicted in County Laois (Queen's County), Ireland for life for burglary, transported aboard the "Calcutta" in 19th April 1837, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1837 aboard the ship 11
Mary Tracy, aged 19, a servant, who arrived in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship "Glentanner" 12

Tracy 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:

Tracy Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. John Tracy (Tracey), (b. 1839), aged 22, British farm labourer travelling from Bristol aboard the ship "Matoaka" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 10th February 1862 13
William Robert Tracy, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Asterope" in 1865
Bridget Tracy, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Asterope" in 1865

Contemporary Notables of the name Tracy (post 1700) +

Benjamin Franklin Tracy (1830-1915), United States Army officer, jurist, secretary of the navy, winner of the Congressional Medal of Honor
David Tracy (b. 1939), American theologian
Spencer Tracy (1900-1967), American film actor, two-time Academy Award-winner
Henry Wells Tracy (1807-1886), American politician, U.S. Representatives from Pennsylvania
Andrew Tracy (1797-1868), American lawyer and politician, U.S. Representative from Vermont
John Tracy (1783-1864), American lawyer and politician, Lieutenant Governor of New York (1833-1838)
Lee Tracy (1898-1968), American actor
Andrew W. Tracy (1846-1917), American Democratic Party politician, Physician; Mayor of Meriden, Connecticut, 1892; Defeated, 1890, 1892 14
Andrew Tracy (1797-1868), American politician, Representative from Vermont 2nd District, 1853-55 14
Alvah H. Tracy, American Democratic Party politician, Candidate for Michigan State House of Representatives from Allegan County 1st District, 1910 14
... (Another 68 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Tracy family +

SS Atlantic

Ellen Tracy, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
George Tracy, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
John Tracy, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
Margaret Tracy, who was traveling aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
Mrs. Mary Tracy, Irish traveler aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, died in the sinking
... (Another 1 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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)
Pilgrim Ship's of 1600's. Retrieved January 6th 2023 from https://www.packrat-pro.com/ships/shiplist.htm
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Boyd
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 2nd June 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/experiment
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/calcutta
South Australia Passengerlists (Retrieved 10th November 2010). Retrieved from https://archives.sa.gov.au/sites/default/files/documentstore/passengerlists/1855/GRG35_48_1_55-35_Glentanner.pdf
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 18) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html