D'arcy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms 

Origins Available: 
  England 
  Ireland 


Gaelic is at the heart of all the Irish surnames that can be found throughout the world today. The original Gaelic form of the name D'arcy is "O'Dorchaidhe," from the word "dorcha," which means "dark." Alternatively, some branches of the family may be descended from Norman stock; the name is also derived from "Arcy," the name of a place in La Manche, Normandy. In this case, the surname would refer to "one from Arcy."

Early Origins of the D'arcy family

The surname D'arcy was first found in Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the D'arcy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our D'arcy research. Another 338 words (24 lines of text) covering the years 1066, 1334, 1384, 1598, 1668, 1725 and 1779 are included under the topic Early D'arcy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

D'arcy Spelling Variations

The search for the origins of the name D'arcy family name revealed numerous spelling variations. These variants can be somewhat accounted for when it is realized that before widespread literacy people only recognized their name by pronunciation; it was up to scribes to decide how it was to be formally recorded. Variations found include Dorcey, Dorcy, Dorsey, Darcey, D'Arcy, O'Dorcey, MacDarcy, Darsy and many more.

Early Notables of the D'arcy family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

D'arcy Ranking

In the United States, the name D'arcy is the 13,816th most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 1 However, in France, the name D'arcy is ranked the 5,685th most popular surname with an estimated 1,000 - 1,500 people with that name. 2


D'arcy migration to the United States +

Thousands of Irish left in their homeland in the 18th and 19th centuries to escape the religious and political discrimination they experienced primarily at the hands of the English, and in the search of a plot of land to call their own. These immigrants arrived at the eastern shores of North America, early on settling and breaking the land, and, later, building the bridges, canals, and railroads essential to the emerging nations of United States and Canada. Many others would toil for low wages in the dangerous factories of the day. Although there had been a steady migration of Irish to North America over these years, the greatest influx of Irish immigrants came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the Irish name D'arcy or a variant listed above:

D'arcy Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
D'arcy Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
D'arcy Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

D'arcy migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

D'arcy Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
D'arcy Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

D'arcy migration to Australia +

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

D'arcy Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Contemporary Notables of the name D'arcy (post 1700) +


The D'arcy Motto +

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: Un dieu, un roi
Motto Translation: One God, one king.
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