Dempsey
Encyclopedia
Background
Dempsey is an anglicised form of of Ó Diomasaigh, « descendant of Díomasaigh »; the latter stems from the Irish adjective díomasach « proud ». The family originated in the Kingdom of Uí FailgheKingdom of Uí Failghe
Uí Failghe was a Gaelic-Irish kingdom, which is preserved in the name of County Offaly, Ireland.-Background:Uí Failghe may have existed as a kingdom since the early historic era, and successfully fought off encroachments by the Uí Néill, the Eóganachta, and the Normans.From the mid eleventh century...
.
According to John Grenham:
"In the original Irish Dempsey is Ó Diomasaigh, from diomasach, meaning "proud". The name was also occasionally anglicised "Proudman". The Ó Diomasaigh originated in the territory of Clanmalier, on the borders of what are now counties Laois and Offaly, and remained powerful in the area until the seventeenth century. In the 12th century. O’Dempsey, Chief of Offaly, was one of the few native Irish leaders who defeated Strongbow. In later years, their allegiance was to the English and they were involved with the newcomers in the massacre of the O’Lalors in Laois in 1577, an action which local tradition says was responsible for their later losses. James I recognised the strength of the family by granting the title "Viscount Clanmalier" to Terence Dempsey. The loyalty of the family to the Crown was short-lived, however, and the Williamite wars later in the century destroyed their power and scattered them." http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm?fuseaction=History&Surname=dempsey&UserID=
Another source states:
"The O'Dempsey family derive their name from Diummasach, an 11th century Uí Failge prince of the Clann Máel Ugra, aka Cenél Maoilughra. The Clann Máel Úgra, in turn, took their name from Máelaugrai, an Uí Failge chieftain who flourished in the middle of the 9th century. The center of their territory, anglicized Clanmalier, was near Ballybrittas in northeast Co. Leix. Their power later extended into the barony of Upper Phillipstown. O'Donovan, in his Ordnance Survey letters, places Clann-Maoilughra in the present Barony of Upper Philipstown in the King's County and the Barony of Portnahinch in the Queen's County." http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlkik/ihm/leinst2.htm#maellugra
Descent
An Ó Diomasaigh genealogy records the following:Flann m. Máel Ruanaid m. Cellaich m. Máel Augra m. Conchobuir m. Áeda m. Tomaltaich m. Flaind m. Díumasaich m. Congaile m. Forannáin m. Congaile m. Máel h-Umai m. Cathail m. Bruidge m. Nath Í m. Rosa Failgi. http://www.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~irlkik/ihm/leinst2.htm#maellugra
The final person may be identical with Failge Berraide
Failge Berraide
Failge Berraide was a King of the Uí Failge of County Offaly.His exact identity is not known. As the eponymous ancestor of the Uí Failge he may be associated with Rus Failge, the son of the high king of Ireland, Cathair Mór, said to have lived in the early 2 cd century. This is the ancestor...
(fl.507-514), a King of the Uí Failge and of Laigin
Laigin
The Laigin, modern spelling Laighin , were a population group of early Ireland who gave their name to the province of Leinster...
descent (see List of kings of Uí Failghe).
Dempseys in the annals
The Irish annalsIrish annals
A number of Irish annals were compiled up to and shortly after the end of Gaelic Ireland in the 17th century.Annals were originally a means by which monks determined the yearly chronology of feast days...
list a number of members of the family:
- 789: Áedh [grandfather of Máelaugrai] was slain by Óengus son of Mugrón, king of Uí Failge, in the oratory of Kilclonfert.
- 1141: Donnchadh, son of Goll Gaibhle, i.e. Ua Conchobhair Failghe, was killed by the Ui-Failghe themselves, i.e. the Clann-Maelughra.
- 1161: Domhnall, son of Conghalach, son of Cuaifne Ua Conchobhair Failghe, Tanist of Ui-Failghe, was slain by the Clann-Maelughra.
- 1164: Maelseachlainn Ua Conchobhair Failghe, was slain by the Clann-Maelughra.
- 1193: Diarmait, son of Cubrogam Ua Diumasaigh, chief of Clann-Mailighra and king of Ui-Failghe for a long time, died.
- 1383: Dermot O'Dempsy, Lord of Kinel-Maoilughra, was slain by the English.
- 1394: Thomas O'Dempsy, heir to the lordship of Clann-Maoilughra, was slain by the English.
Other Dempsey families
An unrelated family, Mac Diomasaigh, are found in County AntrimCounty Antrim
County Antrim is one of six counties that form Northern Ireland, situated in the north-east of the island of Ireland. Adjoined to the north-east shore of Lough Neagh, the county covers an area of 2,844 km², with a population of approximately 616,000...
and its neighbouring counties http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/surname/index.cfm?fuseaction=History&Surname=dempsey&UserID=.
Bearers of the name
The name Dempsey may refer to:Women:
- Muriel DempseyMuriel DempseyMuriel Dempsey author of Prairie Trails & Tales: Heward, Saskatchewan 1900-1976. A book that discusses the lives of the people in Heward, Saskatchewan offering an in-depth look at the lives of Saskatchewan settlers.- References :...
(1905–1986), Canadian author - Rosemary DempseyRosemary DempseyRosemary Dempsey is an American feminist activist. She was the Vice President for Action of the National Organization for Women from 1990-1997....
, American feminist activist - Sandra DempseySandra DempseySandra Dempsey is an award-winning Canadian playwright.- External links :*...
, Canadian playwright
Men:
- Cedric DempseyCedric DempseyCedric Dempsey is a sports administrator who became the third executive director of the National Collegiate Athletic Association from 1994 to 2003...
, former American sports executive - Clint DempseyClint DempseyClinton Drew "Clint" Dempsey is an American soccer player who plays for Fulham and the United States national team. Dempsey usually plays as either an attacking midfielder, or a striker....
(born 1983), American soccer player - Courtenay DempseyCourtenay DempseyCourtenay Dempsey is a professional Australian rules footballer for the Essendon Football Club of the Australian Football League.-Early life:...
(born 1987), Australian rules footballer - Damien DempseyDamien DempseyDamien Dempsey is an Irish singer and songwriter who mixes traditional Irish folk with contemporary lyrics to deliver social comment on the positive and negative aspects arising from Ireland's Celtic Tiger society.-Early life:...
, Irish singer and songwriter - Dan DempseyDan DempseyDan Dempsey was an Australian rugby league national and Queensland state representative player. He played his career at Hooker and is considered one of the nation's finest footballers of the 20th century.-Club career:...
, Australian rugby league footballer - Denis DempseyDenis DempseyDenis Dempsey VC born Rathmichael, Bray, County Wicklow and was an Irish recipient of the Victoria Cross, the highest and most prestigious award for gallantry in the face of the enemy that can be awarded to British and Commonwealth forces.-Details:He was approximately 31 years old, and a private...
(1826–1896), Irish soldier, recipient of the Victoria Cross - Donald DempseyDonald DempseyDonald Dempsey Sr. was an American recording executive who helped launch Ozzy Osbourne and Merle Haggard.A one-time math teacher, Dempsey began his music career peddling albums for a distributor to dime and discount department stores that would eventually embark on a 25-year career with CBS Records...
(c. 1932–2005), American recording executive - Ed DempseyEd DempseyEd Dempsey is the head coach of the Prince George Spruce Kings of the British Columbia Hockey League.He moved to the lower-tier Spruce Kings after being dismissed as the head coach for the Prince George Cougars of the Western Hockey League.+...
, Canadian ice hockey coach - Gary Dempsey:
- Gary DempseyGary DempseyGary Dempsey is a former Australian rules footballer who played for Footscray and North Melbourne in the Victorian Football League....
(born 1948), Australian rules football player - Gary Dempsey (footballer)Gary Dempsey (footballer)Gary Dempsey is an Irish footballer who plays for Bray Wanderers of the League of Ireland.-Career:...
(born 1981), Irish footballer
- Gary Dempsey
- George Dempsey:
- George Dempsey (basketball)George Dempsey (basketball)George P. Dempsey is an American former professional basketball player. He was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania.A 6'2" guard from King's College, Dempsey played five seasons in the National Basketball Association as a member of the Philadelphia Warriors and Syracuse Nationals...
(born 1929), American basketball player - George Dempsey (diplomat), American diplomat
- George Dempsey (teacher)George Dempsey (teacher)George Dempsey was a teacher of English at Belvedere College, Dublin, Ireland, who taught English to the writer, James Joyce, during the time he attended the school. The character of Mr...
, Irish teacher
- George Dempsey (basketball)
- Girvan DempseyGirvan DempseyGirvan Dempsey is a retired rugby union footballer who played at full back for Leinster and Ireland.- Rugby career :...
(born 1975), Irish rugby union footballer - Ian DempseyIan DempseyIan Michael Dempsey is an Irish presenter of television and breakfast radio. He is the long-running presenter of the breakfast show on Today FM, self-titled The Ian Dempsey Breakfast Show, which runs from 07:00 - 09:00 each weekday morning...
(born 1961), Irish radio presenter - Jack DempseyJack Dempsey (disambiguation)Jack Dempsey was a heavyweight boxing champion.Jack Dempsey may also refer to:* People:**Jack Dempsey Jack Dempsey (1895–1983) was a heavyweight boxing champion.Jack Dempsey may also refer to:* People:**Jack Dempsey (politician) Jack Dempsey (1895–1983) was a heavyweight boxing...
:- Jack DempseyJack DempseyWilliam Harrison "Jack" Dempsey was an American boxer who held the world heavyweight title from 1919 to 1926. Dempsey's aggressive style and exceptional punching power made him one of the most popular boxers in history. Many of his fights set financial and attendance records, including the first...
(1895–1983), heavyweight American boxer - Jack Dempsey (politician)Jack Dempsey (politician)John Mark Dempsey is an Australian politician. He represents the division of Bundaberg in the Queensland Legislative Assembly, and was first elected at the 2006 State election, originally for the National Party...
, Australian politician, MP from 2006 - Jack Dempsey (wrestler)Jack Dempsey (wrestler)Thomas Moore was a British professional wrestler, best known by his ring name Jack Dempsey, who was active in North American and European regional promotions from the 1930s to the 1960s....
, ring name of Thomas Moore (1920–2007), British professional wrestler - Jack (Nonpareil) DempseyJack (Nonpareil) DempseyJohn Edward Kelly was an Irish-born champion boxer. At height, he was better known as Jack "Nonpareil" Dempsey, called "Nonpareil" because no one could defeat him. In 65 contests, he lost only 3 times. This ended when Bob Fitzsimmons pummelled him around the ring and begged him to concede before...
(1862–1895), born John Edward Kelly, middleweight Irish boxer
- Jack Dempsey
- James DempseyJames DempseyJames Dempsey was a Scottish Labour Party politician.Dempsey was educated at Holy Family School, Mossend, the Co-operative College in Loughborough, and at the National Council of Labour Colleges. He was a clerk with a haulage firm and a councillor on Lanarkshire County Council from 1945...
(1917–1982), Scottish politician, MP 1959–1982 - John DempseyJohn DempseyJohn Dempsey may refer to:* John Dempsey , Irish retired footballer* John Dempsey , also playwright* John Dempsey , American sailor and Medal of Honor recipient...
:- John Dempsey (footballer)John Dempsey (footballer)John Dempsey is a former footballer who played in the 1960s and 1970s as a defender.Starting his career with Fulham, making his debut in 1963 and 149 appearances over six years, Dempsey was signed for West London rivals Chelsea by Dave Sexton in January 1969 for £70,000...
(born 1946), Irish retired footballer - John Dempsey (lyricist)John Dempsey (lyricist)John Dempsey is a theatrical lyricist and playwright who has worked in Britain and the United States. Much of his work in musical theater has been written with composer Dana P. Rowe. With Rowe, he wrote the book and lyrics for Zombie Prom , The Fix , and the stage adaptation of John Updike's The...
, also playwright - John N. Dempsey (1915–1989), American politician (Connecticut)
- John J. DempseyJohn J. DempseyJohn Joseph Dempsey was a United States Representative from New Mexico who also served as the 13th Governor of New Mexico. He was born in White Haven, Pennsylvania where he attended grade school. Employed as a telegrapher, he held various positions with the Brooklyn Union Elevator Company...
(1879–1958), American politician (New Mexico) - John P. Dempsey (born January 3, 1901, died 1975) California Superior Court Justice, Santa Clara County
- John Dempsey (footballer)
- Lorcan DempseyLorcan DempseyLorcan Dempsey is the Vice President and Chief Strategist of the Online Computer Library Center .He is a native of Dublin, Ireland, where he worked for some years in public libraries. He writes and talks about libraries and networked information...
(born 1958), Irish library information expert - Mark Dempsey:
- Mark DempseyMark DempseyMark Dempsey may refer to:*Mark Dempsey *Mark Dempsey *Mark Dempsey , former Major League Baseball pitcher...
(born 1964), English footballer and coach - Mark Dempsey (footballer)Mark Dempsey (footballer)Mark Anthony Peter Dempsey was an Irish association football player during the 1990s and 2000s. He was a defender or midfielder who appeared for Gillingham, Leyton Orient, Shrewsbury Town, Barry Town, Bohemians , Shelbourne and Drogheda United during his career.-Career:He played his schoolboy...
(born 1972), retired Irish footballer
- Mark Dempsey
- Martin DempseyMartin DempseyGeneral Martin E. Dempsey, USA is the 18th and current Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff. He previously served 149 days as the 37th Chief of Staff of the Army from April 11, 2011 to September 7, 2011. Prior to that, he served as Commanding General, U.S. Army Training and Doctrine Command from...
(born 1952), American general, 18th and current Chairman, US Joint Chiefs of Staff - Michael Dempsey:
- Michael DempseyMichael DempseyMichael Dempsey is a bassist from England, who has performed as a member of several post-punk and New Wave bands including The Cure and Associates.-Early years:...
(born 1958), British musician - Micheal Dempsey (footballer)Micheal Dempsey (footballer)Michael Dempsey is a former Irish goalkeeper.He began his senior career at Bohemians in the summer of 1994 after playing youth football for St. Kevins Boys. Mick became Bohs' youngest keeper ever when he made his league debut against Dundalk on August 28 1994 at the age of 18 years and 297 days....
(born 1975), Irish footballer
- Michael Dempsey
- Mick DempseyMick DempseyMichael "Mick" Dempsey is a former gaelic football player and manager from County Laois in Ireland.-Playing career:He captained his club St Josephs to the Laois Senior Football Championship title in 1983....
, retired Irish gaelic footballer - Miles DempseyMiles DempseyGeneral Sir Miles Christopher Dempsey, GBE, KCB, DSO, MC was commander of the British Second Army during the D-Day landings in the Second World War...
(1896–1969), British general of World War II - Nathan DempseyNathan DempseyNathan Dempsey is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman. He last played for SC Bern of the Swiss National League.-Playing career:...
(born 1974), Canadian ice hockey player - Nick DempseyNick DempseyNick Dempsey is an English windsurfer, who lives in Weymouth. He married Sarah Ayton in October 2008 just 2 months after their gold medal victories. In June 2009, they had a son, Thomas-Flynn....
(born 1980), English windsurfer - Noel DempseyNoel DempseyNoel Dempsey is a former Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Meath and Meath West constituencies from 1987 to 2011...
(born 1953), Irish politician - Patrick DempseyPatrick DempseyPatrick Galen Dempsey is an American actor, known for his role as neurosurgeon Dr. Derek Shepherd on the medical drama Grey's Anatomy. Prior to Grey's Anatomy he made several television appearances and was nominated for an Emmy Award...
(born 1966), American actor in Grey's Anatomy, movies - Paul DempseyPaul DempseyPaul Dempsey is the lead singer, guitarist and principal songwriter of Australian rock group Something for Kate. Paul was a founding member of the band, and in August 2009 released his first solo album, Everything Is True whilst continuing his work with Something for Kate...
(born 1976), Australian rock musician - Rey DempseyRey DempseyRey Dempsey is a former college football coach at Youngstown State, Southern Illinois, and Memphis. From 1973 to 1974, he coached at Youngstown State, where he compiled a 12-8 record. In 1975, he was a special-teams coach for the Detroit Lions. From 1976 to 1983, he coached at Southern Illinois,...
, retired American college football coach - Richard DempseyRichard DempseyRichard Dempsey is an English actor.- Biography :Dempsey's first role was at the age of 15, when he was cast as Peter Pevensie, the lead role in the BBC's adaptation of The Lion, the Witch and the Wardrobe in 1988. The following year, he appeared in the adaptation of Prince Caspian...
(born 1974), English actor - Rick DempseyRick DempseyJohn Rikard Dempsey is an American former professional baseball player. He played for 24 seasons as a catcher in Major League Baseball from to , most notably for the Baltimore Orioles...
(born 1949), retired American baseball player - S. Wallace DempseyS. Wallace DempseyStephen Wallace Dempsey was an American Republican politician. He was a member of the United States House of Representatives from New York....
(1862–1949), American Republican politician, Congressman 1915–1931 - Tom Dempsey:
- Tom DempseyTom DempseyThomas Dempsey is a former American football placekicker in the National Football League for the New Orleans Saints , Philadelphia Eagles , Los Angeles Rams , Houston Oilers and Buffalo Bills . He attended high school at San Dieguito High School and played college football at Palomar College...
(born 1947), retired American football player - Tom Dempsey (Missouri)Tom Dempsey (Missouri)Thomas Dwayne "Tom" Dempsey is a restaurateur and Republican politician, currently in the Missouri Senate as Majority Caucus Whip. Dempsey was elected to the Senate in a 2007 special election previously serving as Majority Floor Leader in the Missouri House of Representatives. He lives in St...
(born 1967), American Republican restaurateur and politician
- Tom Dempsey
- Tommy DempseyTommy DempseyTommy Dempsey is an American college basketball coach and the current head men's basketball coach at Rider University.-References:...
, American college basketball coach - Tony DempseyTony DempseyTony Dempsey is an Irish Fianna Fáil politician. He was a Teachta Dála for the Wexford constituency from 2002 to 2007....
(born 1944), Irish Fianna FáilFianna FáilFianna Fáil – The Republican Party , more commonly known as Fianna Fáil is a centrist political party in the Republic of Ireland, founded on 23 March 1926. Fianna Fáil's name is traditionally translated into English as Soldiers of Destiny, although a more accurate rendition would be Warriors of Fál...
politician, TD 2002–2007 - Travis DemseyTravis DemseyTravis Demsey was the former drummer for The Living End from May 1996 to Feb 2002.He had envisioned being a drummer since his youth, eventually The Living End's big break fulfilled his dream. Being part of the Living End, he was able to visit sick children. One certain child was particularly close...
, born Travis Dempsey, Australian musician
As a given name:
- Dempsey BobDempsey BobDempsey Bob is a Northwest Coast carver from British Columbia, Canada, who is of Tahltan and Tlingit First Nations descent. He was born in the Tahltan village of Telegraph Creek on the Stikine River in northwestern B.C., and is of the Wolf clan....
(born 1948), Canadian woodcarver - Dempsey BurgesDempsey BurgesDempsey Burgess was a Democratic-Republican U.S. Congressman from North Carolina between 1795 and 1799.Born in Shiloh, North Carolina, in Camden County, Burgess was a member of the North Carolina Provincial Congress in 1775 and 1776...
(1751–1800), American politician, Congressman 1795–1799 - Dempsey WilsonDempsey WilsonDempsey Wilson was an American racecar driver.Wilson was born in Los Angeles, California. He drove in the USAC Championship Car series, racing in the 1956, 1958-1965 and 1968-1969 seasons with 32 starts, including the Indianapolis 500 races in 1958, 1960, 1961, and 1963...
(1927–1971), American racecar driver - P. Dempsey TablerP. Dempsey TablerPerce Dempsey Tabler was a Tennessee-born athlete, businessman and actor, best remembered for being the third actor to portray Tarzan in films....
(1876–1956), American actor, athlete and businessman
External links
- http://www.fair-trade-usa.com/dempsey-clan/history-dempsey-ireland.htm
- http://www.henneberry.org/dunn/dempsey.htm
- http://genforum.genealogy.com/dempsey/
- http://boards.ancestry.netscape.com/surnames.dempsey/304.341/mb.ashx
- http://www.facebook.com/group.php?gid=45522336161&v=wall