Surname DeCourcy - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'D'
DeCourcy: What does the surname DeCourcy mean?
The surname DeCourcy is of French origin and it translates to "of the courtyard." It is a locational surname, typically given to individuals who lived or worked near a distinguishing landscape feature or specific place. In this case, it can be presumed that the initial bearers of the DeCourcy name lived near or worked in a courtyard. It is derived from the Old Northern French “curteis” or “curteiz,” a derivative of “cort,” meaning court. Over centuries, the surname has been anglicized and variations of the spelling have appeared, but the original meaning has remained the same. Its bearers often belonged to French nobility, descendants of the noble branch of the Courcy family originating from Normandy.
Order DNA origin analysisDeCourcy: Where does the name DeCourcy come from?
The surname DeCourcy is of French origin, first found in Languedoc, where the family has maintained a family seat since ancient times. It emerged from the cultural, social category known as hereditary surnames.
The name was originally derived from the Old French "curcis", meaning "short". Over the years, it has changed in many forms such as DeCourcey, DeCurcy, DeCursay and others. The family DeCourcy would later establish strong roots in Normandy and later Ireland, following the Norman Conquest of England in 1066.
John de Courcy, a Norman knight, conquered much of Ulster in Ireland, becoming a prominent figure. As a result, DeCourcy is a name not unusual in Ireland today, particularly in the area of Ulster where John de Courcy established his power base.
In today's time, the DeCourcy surname is less common but can be found in French-speaking countries like France, Belgium, and Quebec, Canada. However, due to historical factors, it may also be reasonably common in England and Ireland. But on a global scale, the name is relatively rare.
Variations of the surname DeCourcy
The surname DeCourcy, is of French origin and has various spellings and variants attributed to different historical periods, regions, and individual families. Variants of the DeCourcy surname include Decourcy, Decourcey, De Courcey, De Courcy and DeCourcey.
It's important to note that DeCourcy, or its variants, can be altered according to regional dialects or language adaptation. For example, the English or Irish adaptation of the French name might have different spellings due to differences in pronunciation. The prefix "De" in the surname indicates "of" or "from," pointing to a geographical origin, specifically the Courcy region in Normandy, France.
However, surnames of the same origin doesn't limit to the DeCourcy and its variants. Courcy and Courcey could also be considered as the surnames of the same origin, since they're the shortened versions without the "De" prefix.
It's also worth noting that derivations of the same surname could have evolved based on occupation, demonstrating the works or trades carried on by the family. For example, DeClercy is a variant of DeCourcy, with "Clercy" closely resembling to "Clerk" in English, suggesting the family's occupation in clerical work.
Famous people with the name DeCourcy
- Nina DeCourcy: A French audiovisual artist, director, and actress.
- Paul DeCourcy: A former Canadian politician who served as a member of the Canadian House of Commons.
- John De Courcy, Ist Baron of Kinsale: An Anglo-Norman nobleman of the 12th Century who famously established himself as a regional power in Ireland.
- Jullian DeCourcy: an American professional MMA fighter.
- Jack DeCourcy: was an Australian professional boxer.
- Doyle DeCourcy: was a Canadian professional ice hockey player.
- Danielle DeCourcy: is a screenwriter who has written for TV series like 'Eye for an Eye', 'Fools for Hire', and 'Once Upon a Therapy'. Please note that the last name 'DeCourcy' is not as common in celebrity circles or in major public figures compared to others, and the listed individuals might not be universally recognized as 'famous'.