Surname Dickey - Meaning and Origin

Tracing the Ancient Pathways of the Surname 'Dickey' through iGENEA DNA Test

My recently completed iGENEA DNA test unveiled captivating scientific findings regarding the lineage of the surname 'Dickey'. The results not only provided a clearer understanding of the Dickey family's genetic heritage but offered a fascinating journey through regions and historical eras that have left their mark on the genes passed through generations.

M. Dickey

Dickey: What does the surname Dickey mean?

The surname Dickey is of Irish origin and is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Duibhic, meaning "descendant of Dubhthach". The personal name Dubhthach is composed of the elements "dubh" meaning black and a second uncertain element. This name was common amongst royalty, chieftains, and clans in ancient Ireland. The surname Dickey may also have derived from the English first name 'Dick', a diminutive of 'Richard', which means "brave power". Therefore, Dickey also stands as a patronymic surname, signifying "son of Dick". In both cases, the name Dickey has a rich historical and cultural association. It can be commonly found in the northern counties of Ireland, particularly in County Antrim. The passage of the name over centuries to its modern form reflects the cultural, linguistic, and social changes that occurred over time. Some variations of the surname Dickey are Dicky, Dickie, and Dickeye.

Dickey: Where does the name Dickey come from?

The surname Dickey primarily has Irish and English origins. In Ireland, the surname has been associated with the O'Deachaidh family and likely rooted in the medieval Gaelic name, Dedig. In England, it derived from an Old English personal name, Dick, a pet form of Richard. The suffix "ey" meaning "son of", led to the creation of the name Dickey.

In terms of its prevalence today, Dickey is primarily found in the United States followed by England and Canada. In the U.S., it is most common in the southern states, predominantly Texas. This distribution might be attributed to the history of emigration from England and Ireland. However, compared to other surnames, Dickey is not as common. Despite its geographical dispersion, the historical roots of the name Dickey remind us of its ancestral origins stretching back centuries in both Ireland and England.

Variations of the surname Dickey

The surname Dickey has various variants and spellings which have evolved over time. Its origin is believed to be patronymic, deriving from the personal name 'Dick', an old diminutive form of Richard.

Variants of the surname Dickey include Dickie, Dicky, Dyck, Dycke, and Dycki. In the United Kingdom and Ireland, the spelling and pronunciation may sometimes change to Dicky or Dickie. In other cases, Dickson, Dixon, or even Dickens may represent the same lineage.

Dickey also extends to other surnames such as Dichie, Dichey, Dyche, Ditch, and Deitch, most commonly found in Scotland, Wales, or other Celtic regions. In Dutch and German-speaking regions, the variants could be Dijk, Dyk, or Van Dyk where it means 'from the dyke'.

In addition, the Normans brought the given name Richard to England which led to nicknames like Dicca, Hick, and Hickey therefore these could also be considered variants of the same lineage.

It's important to consider the possibility of spelling variations due to emigration, regional dialects, and colloquialisms, leading to a multitude of possible variants for this surname.

Famous people with the name Dickey

• James Dickey: An American poet and novelist known for the book "Deliverance".
• Bill Dickey: An American professional baseball catcher and coach, who played in Major League Baseball for the New York Yankees.
• R.A. Dickey: An American professional baseball pitcher, who won the Cy Young Award in 2012.
• Little Jimmy Dickey: A famous American country music singer.
• David Dickey: An American bass guitarist, famously part of the rock band Atlanta Rhythm Section.
• Eric Jerome Dickey: An American author known for his novels on contemporary African-American life.
• Dale Dickey: An American actress best known for her supporting roles in the films "Winter's Bone" and "Iron Man 3".
• Emily Dickey: A Canadian competitive swimmer.
• Christopher Dickey: An American journalist, author, and news editor.
• Kevin Dickey: An American tennis player.
• Paul Dickey: An American actor famous for his roles in silent films during the 1920s.
• Walter Dickey: An American industrialist and politician from Wisconsin.
• William Dickey: An American poet and Professor Emeritus at San Francisco State University.
• Cindy Dickey: An American artist known for fine art photography.

Other surnames

DickeDickelDickeleDickemannDickenDickensDickenscheidDickenscheidtDickenschiedDickensonDickerDickermanDickersonDickertDickesDickescheidDickesonDickeys