Neecy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Neecy

What does the name Neecy mean?

The name Neecy comes from the Irish Gaelic "Ó Cnaimhsighe," which was derived from a female personal name. 1 This Irish name was then anglicized to Kneafsey, Crampsey, Bonar, and their variants. Bonar comes from a pseudo translation of Cnaimhsighe, as "cnamh" by itself means "bone."

The rare variants Neacy, Neasy, Neecy are typically found in County Louth. 1

Early Origins of the Neecy family

The surname Neecy was first found in 1095, when the Annals mention Scannlan O Cnaimhsige as the confessor of Lismore. In 1584 Philip MacShane Y Neasy was one of Lord Viscount Roche's men and was probably a Northern Irish mercenary.

Early History of the Neecy family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Neecy research. Another 86 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1659 and 1665 are included under the topic Early Neecy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Neecy Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: Kneafsey, Kneaphsey, Neecy, O'Kneafsey, O'Knawsie, O'Crawsey, Crampsey, Crampsy, Crampsie, Cramsey, Boner and many more.

Early Notables of the Neecy family

More information is included under the topic Early Neecy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Neecy family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Michael Crampsey and Patrick Bonar, who arrived in Philadelphia in 1816 and 1817; Mary Crampsay, who sailed to Baltimore in 1821; Shane, Mary, and Danieal Crampsey, who immigrated to St. John, New Brunswick in 1847.

The Neecy 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: Denique coelum
Motto Translation: Heaven at last.

Sources +

MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.