Show ContentsCasey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

In its ancient Gaelic form, the Irish name Casey was written O Cathasaigh, from the word "cathasach," which means watchful.

Early Origins of the Casey family

The surname Casey was first found in the counties of Fermanagh, Mayo, Dublin, Limerick, Cork and Roscommon. In early times, there were six unrelated septs of O Cathasaigh; the two most important were the erenagh (church steward) families of Devenish in the county of Fermanagh and the Lords of the Suaithni, in the present-day barony of Balrothery West, in County Dublin. The name has since become widely scattered. Although it remains common in County Dublin, it is now most prevalent in the southwest of Munster, with a smaller but still sizable population in north Connacht. This corresponds with the locations of the other four septs, which were found at Liscannon near Bruff in the County Limerick; near Mitchelstown in County Cork; in Clondara in County Roscommon; and in Tirawley in County Mayo, where two Casey septs were located. The Caseys of Mayo and Roscommon, like those in Fermanagh, were also notable as erenaghs. Archaeological remains indicate that Caseys were also once found near Waterford. Furthermore, a sept of MacCasey was once located at Oriel and was common in County Monaghan. However, this sept is nearly extinct today. Due to the widespread dropping of Irish prefixes under British rule and their often-erroneous resumption in the 20th century, many MacCaseys are incorrectly thought to be O'Caseys.

Early History of the Casey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Casey research. Another 113 words (8 lines of text) covering the years 1172, 1381, 1551, 1723, 1762, 1765, 1773, 1787, 1800, 1801, 1840, 1846, 1848, 1862 and 1870 are included under the topic Early Casey History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Casey Spelling Variations

Up until the mid twentieth century, surnames throughout the world were recorded by scribes with little regard of spelling. They recorded the name as they thought the surname should be spelt. Accordingly, research into the name Casey revealed spelling variations, including Casey, MacCasey, O'Casey and others.

Early Notables of the Casey family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

  • William Casey, Anglican bishop in Ireland, nominated Bishop of Limerick by King Edward VI on 6 July 1551 and consecrated at Dublin on 25 October 1551
  • Thomas Casey JP (1765-1840) was an Irish politician and barrister who was a Member of Parliament for Kilmallock in the Irish House of Commons from 1800 to 1801
  • Willet Casey (1762-1848), American-born, Canadian farmer and politician in Upper Canada. Samuel Casey (1723-1773) was a noted silversmith and counterfeiter active in Little Rest (Kingston), Rhode Isla...

Casey World Ranking

In the United States, the name Casey is the 479th most popular surname with an estimated 59,688 people with that name. [1] However, in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Casey is ranked the 705th most popular surname with an estimated 62 people with that name. [2] And in Australia, the name Casey is the 316th popular surname with an estimated 11,160 people with that name. [3] New Zealand ranks Casey as 447th with 1,531 people. [4] The United Kingdom ranks Casey as 607th with 10,782 people. [5]


United States Casey migration to the United States +

North America accepted thousands of Irish immigrants during the 19th century as their homeland suffered under foreign imperialistic rule. Although settlers from the early portion of the century came to North America by choice in search of land, by far the largest influx of Irish immigrants came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Many of these Irish families left the country destitute and in some cases suffering from disease. However, those who survived the long ocean voyage were especially vital to the development of industry in the United States and what would become known as Canada. Research of immigration and passenger lists has shown many early immigrants bearing the name Casey:

Casey Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Richard Casey, who arrived in Virginia in 1636 [6]
  • Ann Casey, who landed in Maryland in 1663 [6]
Casey Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • William Casey, who landed in Virginia in 1701 [6]
  • Elizabeth Casey who arrived in Maryland in 1725
  • Con Casey, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1765 [6]
  • Edward Casey, who landed in Boston, Massachusetts in 1766 [6]
Casey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Peter Casey, who arrived in New York, NY in 1811 [6]
  • George Casey, who arrived in New York, NY in 1812 [6]
  • Alexander Casey, aged 45, who arrived in Tennessee in 1812 [6]
  • Henry Casey, aged 26, who landed in Louisiana in 1813 [6]
  • Mr. Casey, who arrived in New York, NY in 1815 [6]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Casey Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mr. Edward Casey, (b. 1862), aged 43, Cornish mariner travelling aboard the ship "Etruria" arriving at Ellis Island, New York in 1905 en route to New York, New York, USA [7]

Canada Casey migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Casey Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century
  • Daniel Casey, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
  • James Casey, who landed in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1749
  • James Casey, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • John Casey, who arrived in Halifax, Nova Scotia in 1750
  • Ann Casey, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1750
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)
Casey Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Eugene Casey, aged 32, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Pallas" from Cork, Ireland
  • Dennis Casey, aged 30, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the barque "Pallas" from Cork, Ireland
  • Norry Casey, aged 11, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Hibernia" from Kinsale, Ireland
  • Timothy Casey, aged 32, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Hibernia" from Kinsale, Ireland
  • Mary Casey, aged 30, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the ship "Hibernia" from Kinsale, Ireland
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Australia Casey migration to Australia +

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

Casey Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Thomas Casey, Irish convict who was convicted in Cork, Ireland for 7 years for being a Political prisoner, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [8]
  • Miss Julia Casey, (b. 1784), aged 34, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for felony, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 26th July 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she was murdered in 1824 [9]
  • Mr. Mathew Casey, (b. 1780), aged 40, Irish cooper who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years for felony, transported aboard the "Dorothy" on 5th May 1820, arriving in New South Wales, Australia [10]
  • Mr. James Casey, English convict who was convicted in London, England for life, transported aboard the "Claudine" on 20th May 1821, arriving in Tasmania (Van Diemen's Land) [11]
  • Mr. Cornelius Casey, (b. 1800), aged 22, Irish convict who was convicted in County Kerry, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Brampton" on 8th November 1822, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, he died in 1823 aboard the ship [12]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

New Zealand Casey 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:

Casey Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. John Casey, Irish settler arriving as Detachment of the Royal New Zealand Fencibles travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847 [13]
  • Mrs. Mary Casey Née Carroll, Irish settler travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847 [13]
  • Mr. Martin Casey, (b. 1936), aged , Irish settler travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847 [13]
  • Miss Margaret Casey, (b. 1838), aged , Irish settler travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847 [13]
  • Mr. John Casey, (b. 1847), aged 6 months, Irish settler travelling aboard the ship "Sir Robert Sale" from Gravesend via Cork arriving in Auckland, New Zealand on 11th October 1847, he died on board the ship [13]
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Casey (post 1700) +

  • Dan Casey (1862-1943), American Major League Baseball pitcher, inspiration for Ernest L. Thayer's famous poem, "Casey at the Bat"
  • Robert Patrick Casey Sr. (1932-2000), American lawyer and politician, 42nd Governor of Pennsylvania from 1987 to 1995
  • Pat Casey (1993-2023), American freestyle BMX cyclist who won six medals at the X Games
  • Luis Morgan Casey (1935-2022), American prelate of the Roman Catholic Church, Auxiliary Bishop of the Archdiocese of La Paz in Bolivia (1988-2013)
  • Bernard Terry "Bernie" Casey (1939-2017), American actor, poet, and professional football player
  • Kellogg Casey (1877-1938), American winner of a gold and a sliver Olympic medal for shooting at the 1908 games
  • Ron Casey (1952-2014), American politician, Member of the Missouri House of Representatives (2004-2012)
  • Kenneth Casey (1899-1965), American composer, publisher, author and child actor
  • Conor Casey (b. 1981), American soccer player
  • George William Casey Jr., (b. 1948), American four-star general, United States Army
  • ... (Another 14 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Halifax Explosion
  • Mr. John Joseph  Casey (1880-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) [14]
HMS Royal Oak
  • William P. Casey, British Leading Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he survived the sinking [15]
RMS Lusitania
  • Mr. Martin Casey, English 2nd Class Cabin Bed Steward from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking [16]
  • Mr. James Casey, English Fireman from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking [16]
  • Mr. Joseph Casey, English Fireman from Bootle, Lancashire, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking [16]
  • Mr. Patrick Casey, (James O'Mealie), English Fireman from Liverpool, England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking and was recovered [16]
RMS Titanic
  • Mr. Thomas Casey (d. 1912), aged 28, English Trimmer from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking [17]
Triangle Waist Company
  • Mr. John Casey, American who was in the Asch building in Greenwich Village home of the Triangle Waist Company factory on the 25th March 1911 when fire broke out; he survived the fire [18]
USS Arizona
  • Mr. James Warren Casey, American Seaman First Class from Washington, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking [19]


The Casey 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: Per varios casus
Motto Translation: By various fortunes.


Suggested Readings for the name Casey +

  • A Bakers Dozen: We Were Thirteen, The Caseys of Tuscola, Taylor County, Texas by Clifford Casey.
  • Casey Family History by Alvin Harold Casey.

  1. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  2. The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
  3. "Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
  4. "Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
  5. "UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
  6. 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)
  7. Cornwall Online Parish Clerks. (Retrieved 3rd May 2018). Retrieved from http://www.opc-cornwall.org/Resc/pdfs/emigration_ellis_island_1892_on.pdf
  8. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
  9. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
  10. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 12th July 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/dorothy
  11. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 17th February 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/claudine
  12. Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 29th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Brampton
  13. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  14. Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
  15. Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
  16. Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
  17. Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html
  18. Triangle Shirtwaist Factory Fire (retrieved on 3rd August 2021.) Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Triangle_Shirtwaist_Factory_fire
  19. Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html


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