Surname Tracey - Meaning and Origin

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The journey through my iGENEA DNA test was an emotional encounter to my roots. Aided with surprise, respect, and a stronger sense of familial bond, it enlightened me to my broader family history and the myriad stories behind my Tracey surname.

N. Tracey

Tracey: What does the surname Tracey mean?

The last name Tracey is of Irish origin and is derived from the Irish surname Ó Treasaigh. The name Ó Treasaigh means "descendant of Treasach", which is a personal name that refers to 'war-like' or 'fighter'. It is primarily associated with the Gaelic-Irish Tracy family of the southern province of Munster, although it can also be found in other parts of Ireland. Various spelling forms include Tracey, Tracy, Treacy and Trassy, among others. A prominent sept of the family was known for their ecclesiastical links, supplying many bishops to the Irish Church. Today, people with the Tracy surname can be found all over the world, including in the United States, Great Britain, Australia, and New Zealand, as well as Ireland. Despite the spread of the surname, the original Irish bearer was associated with strength and a warrior-like spirit.

Tracey: Where does the name Tracey come from?

The surnameTracey is an English surname, derived from the Irish name Treacy or Mac Treithigh. It is also found throughout the British Isles, Australasia, and North America. The surname is particularly common in Ireland, where it is sometimes believed to have originated.

Tracey is one of the most common surnames in Ireland today. It is the third most common name in Ireland according to the National Bureau of Assessment of Ireland. It is most popular in the southeast region of the country, including counties Dublin, Wicklow, and Carlow.

The surname has also spread to other areas of the world. In the United Kingdom, it is now the 60th most common surname according to the Office of National Statistics. In Australia, it is the 60th most popular surname too. And, in the United States, it is the 456th most common surname.

Tracey is also a common surname in Canada, with 35,783 individuals sharing it according to the 2006 Canadian census. Similarly, the most recent New Zealand census from 2013 listed 5,154 people with the surname.

The surname Tracey is also found across many countries in Europe, including Germany, France, Finland, Greece, Italy, Poland, and Russia.

Overall, the surname Tracey is most common in Ireland, the UK, Australia, the United States, and Canada, but is also found in many other countries around the world.

Variations of the surname Tracey

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname Tracey are Traci, Trasie, Trace, Treacy, Trayce, Tracey, Traci, Trassi, and Tracee.

The surname Tracey has been used by people in Britain and Ireland since near the end of the Middle Ages. It is of Anglo-Norman origin and is a habitational name from places in Normandy and Picardy named Tracie, after a Gallic river name Tres, which means ‘large stream’. It is also an Irish name, derived from Old Irish O’Treasaigh, representing a more recent introduction into Ireland.

Traci is an American feminine spelling of the name, which is derived from Tracey. It was first popularized in the 1980s particularly due to the American tennis player Traci L. Nelson, and the spelling is still common in the United States.

Trasie is an English spelling of the name which is a variant of Tracey. It is more often used as a nickname rather than a given name.

Trace and Trayce are alternative spellings of the name usually used as a nickname.

Treacy is a rare spelling of the name, which is more commonly seen as an Irish surname derived from O’Treasaigh.

Tracey is the most common modern version of the name which is found in many English-speaking countries. It is sometimes used as a given name, and occasionally as a surname.

Tracee is an American feminine spelling of the name, derived from Tracey. It is a relatively uncommon spelling of the name, but is still used occasionally in some English-speaking countries.

Famous people with the name Tracey

• Melinda Tracey: an American professional golfer who has played on the LPGA Tour since 1996.
• George Tracey: an American professional baseball player who played in the Major Leagues from 1889 to 1897.
• Christine Tracey: an American author and former psychologist who wrote numerous books on mental health.
• Phil Tracey: an English actor and director. He is best known for his roles in the films "Star Trek: The Final Frontier" and "The League of Extraordinary Gentlemen".
• Jeff Tracey: an American entrepreneur who co-founded the online video platform Redbox in 2002.
• David Tracey: a Canadian musician, author, and farmer. He has released five studio albums and has written several books on food and farming.
• Laura Tracey: an American actress and singer, best known for her role as Gabby on the series Raising Hope.
• Leigh Tracey: an Australian professional golfer who has won multiple tournaments on the European Tour, including two World Cup tournaments.
• Eric Tracey: an American lyricist and composer. He composed the music for the Broadway musicals "The King and I" and "A Chorus Line".
• Patrick Tracey: an American actor and voice actor, best known for his work in films and television, including roles in "Argo" and "The West Wing".

Other surnames

Trace