UK surname
An Anglicized spelling of the Irish surname Ó Diomasaigh, meaning "descendant of the proud or noble one".
In the 1881 census there were 83 people recorded with the Dempsy surname, ranking it #21,808 among surnames in the records. By 2016, the modern count was 10, ranked #37,599, down from #21,808 in 1881.
The strongest historical links point to Gateshead, Edinburgh and Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry. In the modern distribution records, the strongest local clusters include No data.
Across the surname records, the highest recorded count for Dempsy is 111 in 1861. Compared with 1881, the name has fallen by 88.0%.
1881 census count
83
Ranked #21,808
Modern count
10
2016, ranked #37,599
Peak year
1861
111 bearers
Map years
1
1861 to 1861
Key insights
Map
Back to topThe map shows where the Dempsy surname is concentrated in each census or modern distribution year. Darker areas mean a stronger local concentration.
Distribution map
Dempsy surname density by area, 1861 census.
Timeline
Back to topThe table below tracks recorded surname counts and rank from the 19th-century census years through the modern adult-register period.
| Year | Period | Count | Rank |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1851 | historical | 85 | #18,940 |
| 1861 | historical | 111 | #19,429 |
| 1881 | historical | 83 | #21,808 |
| 1891 | historical | 98 | #24,313 |
| 1901 | historical | 79 | #25,363 |
| 1911 | historical | 31 | #29,952 |
| 1997 | modern | 12 | #36,785 |
| 1998 | modern | 14 | #36,565 |
| 1999 | modern | 17 | #36,261 |
| 2000 | modern | 22 | #35,684 |
| 2001 | modern | 16 | #36,160 |
| 2002 | modern | 16 | #36,267 |
| 2003 | modern | 11 | #36,842 |
| 2004 | modern | 12 | #36,835 |
| 2005 | modern | 12 | #36,936 |
| 2006 | modern | 14 | #36,801 |
| 2007 | modern | 16 | #36,714 |
| 2008 | modern | 14 | #36,950 |
| 2009 | modern | 11 | #37,336 |
| 2010 | modern | 16 | #36,937 |
| 2011 | modern | 9 | #37,598 |
| 2012 | modern | 13 | #37,169 |
| 2013 | modern | 12 | #37,342 |
| 2014 | modern | 12 | #37,355 |
| 2015 | modern | 12 | #37,371 |
| 2016 | modern | 10 | #37,599 |
Geography
Back to topHistorical parish links are strongest around Gateshead, Edinburgh, Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry, St Marylebone and Liverpool. These are the places where the surname stands out most clearly in the older records.
The modern local-area list points to No data. Treat these as concentration signals, not proof that every family line began there.
| Rank | Parish | Area |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | Gateshead | Durham |
| 2 | Edinburgh | Edinburgh |
| 3 | Dundee, Liff, Benvie and Invergowry | Forfar |
| 4 | St Marylebone | London (North Districts) |
| 5 | Liverpool | Lancashire |
| Rank | Area | District |
|---|---|---|
| 1 | No data | No data |
Forenames
Back to topThese lists show first names that appear often with the Dempsy surname in historical and recent records.
Recent female names
Recent male names
Modern profile
Back to topModern surname records can be compared with neighbourhood classifications. For Dempsy, this points to the kinds of places where the surname is most concentrated today.
These neighbourhood labels describe areas, not individual people. They are useful because surnames often cluster through family history, migration, housing patterns and local work. A surname can be strongest in one type of neighbourhood even when people with that name live across the country.
The UK classification gives the national picture. The London classification is more specific to the capital, where housing, age profile, tenure and population mix can look quite different from the rest of the UK.
UK neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Nationally, the Dempsy surname is most associated with neighbourhoods classed as No data, within No data. This does not mean every Dempsy household fits that profile, but it gives a useful signal about where the modern surname distribution is strongest.
London neighbourhood type
Supergroup
No data
Group
No data
Within London, Dempsy is most associated with areas classed as No data, part of No data. This gives the surname a London-specific profile rather than forcing the capital into the same pattern as the rest of the country.
Broadband speed
The modern neighbourhood pattern for Dempsy is most associated with a typical fixed broadband download band of No data.
Area snapshot
This describes the area pattern most associated with Dempsy, not the ethnicity of every person with the surname.
Origin
Back to topThe surname Dempsy has its origins in Ireland, where it emerged during the Middle Ages as an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Ó Díomasaigh, meaning "descendant of Díomasach." Díomasach is derived from the Old Irish word "díomais," meaning "proud" or "arrogant."
This surname is believed to have originated in County Laois, a region in the province of Leinster, Ireland. It was first recorded in its Gaelic form, Ó Díomasaigh, during the 13th century.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name appears in the Annals of the Four Masters, a chronicle of medieval Irish history. In 1318, the Annals mention a man named William O'Dempsy, who was described as a "learned historian and poet."
The surname's spelling evolved over time, with variations such as Dempsie, Dempsey, Dempsy, and Dempseigh appearing in various historical records. During the 16th and 17th centuries, many Irish families Anglicized their surnames to conform to English naming conventions, leading to the emergence of the spelling "Dempsy."
One notable bearer of the name was Terence Dempsy, a Catholic priest and writer who lived in the late 16th century. He is best known for his work "The Imitation of Christ," which was published in 1583.
Another prominent figure was Michael Dempsy, a lawyer and politician who served as a member of the Irish Parliament in the early 18th century. He was born in 1672 and died in 1735.
In the 19th century, a famous American boxer named Jack Dempsy, also known as "The Manassa Mauler," rose to prominence. He was born in 1895 and became the world heavyweight boxing champion in 1919, holding the title until 1926.
Another notable individual was Sir Nigel Dempsy, a British diplomat and ambassador who served during the 20th century. He was born in 1910 and played a crucial role in negotiating the Camp David Accords between Egypt and Israel in 1978.
Finally, the name Dempsy has also been associated with several places in Ireland, such as Dempsy's Rath in County Laois and Dempsy's Bridge in County Kilkenny, further highlighting the surname's deep roots in Irish history and geography.
Sourced from namecensus.com.
1881 census detail
Back to topThese tables use 1881 census entries for people recorded with the Dempsy surname. Use the location tables for concentration, then the name and occupation tables for the people behind the surname.
Total is the county count. Frequency and index adjust for local population size, so they are better concentration signals. Lancashire leads with 22 Dempsys recorded in 1881 and an index of 2.35x.
| County | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Lancashire | 22 | 2.35x |
| Kent | 10 | 3.71x |
| Angus | 9 | 12.30x |
| Cheshire | 9 | 5.16x |
| Middlesex | 9 | 1.14x |
| Renfrewshire | 6 | 9.80x |
| Ayrshire | 5 | 8.46x |
| Durham | 5 | 2.13x |
| Lanarkshire | 4 | 1.57x |
| Nottinghamshire | 1 | 0.94x |
| Yorkshire | 1 | 0.13x |
Districts give a more local view than counties. Total shows raw records, while frequency and index show local concentration. Erith in Kent leads with 10 Dempsys recorded in 1881 and an index of 375.94x.
| Place | Total | Index |
|---|---|---|
| Erith | 10 | 375.94x |
| Dundee | 9 | 32.94x |
| Haslingden | 9 | 231.96x |
| Hyde | 8 | 155.34x |
| St Marylebone London | 8 | 18.97x |
| West Greenock | 6 | 54.60x |
| Liverpool | 5 | 8.78x |
| St Quivox | 4 | 200.00x |
| Everton | 3 | 10.04x |
| Gateshead | 3 | 17.05x |
| Conside Knitsley | 2 | 109.29x |
| Maryhill | 2 | 40.00x |
| Prescot | 2 | 117.65x |
| Barony | 1 | 1.55x |
| Dalry | 1 | 35.97x |
| Great Neston | 1 | 172.41x |
| Kirkdale | 1 | 6.34x |
| Lesmahagow | 1 | 37.04x |
| Manchester | 1 | 2.37x |
| Nottingham St Mary | 1 | 3.63x |
| Oldham | 1 | 3.31x |
| Sherburn | 1 | 156.25x |
| St George In East London | 1 | 13.46x |
These are the female first names most often recorded with the Dempsy surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
These are the male first names most often recorded with the Dempsy surname in 1881. Names are not merged, so initials, variant spellings and transcription quirks can appear as separate rows.
Occupational titles are kept as recorded and later transcribed, so related jobs, spelling variants and mistakes stay separate. Scholar was the census term for a child in education. That means the other rows often tell you more about adult work in Dempsy households.
| Occupation | Count |
|---|---|
| Scholar | 8 |
| Cotton Weaver | 3 |
| Housekeeper | 3 |
| Labourer | 3 |
| Card Room Hand | 2 |
| Masons Labourer | 2 |
| Ag Lab | 1 |
| Annuitant | 1 |
| Coal Whip (Labourer) | 1 |
| Cotton Rover | 1 |
| Cotton Winder | 1 |
| Field Hand | 1 |
| Fireman | 1 |
| General Labourer | 1 |
| Laborer | 1 |
| R W Pointsman | 1 |
| Rag Merchant | 1 |
| Servant General Domestic | 1 |
| Slipper Maker | 1 |
| Tailor | 1 |
| Tailoress | 1 |
| Visitor | 1 |
| Watch Barrel Maker & Beerseller | 1 |
FAQ
In 1881, 83 people were recorded with the Dempsy surname. That placed it at #21,808 in the surname rankings for that year.
The latest modern count shown here is 10 in 2016. That gives Dempsy a modern rank of #37,599.
An Anglicized spelling of the Irish surname Ó Diomasaigh, meaning "descendant of the proud or noble one".
The map shows local surname concentration for the selected year. Darker areas have a stronger concentration of Dempsy bearers relative to the surrounding population.
The historical counts come from census surname records. The modern counts and neighbourhood summaries come from later surname distribution records. Counts are recorded bearers in those records, not a live estimate of everyone with the name today.