tracey crest

Tracey Family

tracey crest

An Irish Family History

Origins, history and genealogy of the Tracey/Tracy/Treacy family name in Ireland.

The Irish name Tracey is derived from the native Irish O'Treasaigh Septs. The name is taken from the Irish word "treasach" meaning "war-like" or "fighter". It may also be derived from the Irish word for three.

Variations on the name

There were numerous variations of the name but in modern times usually only the following forms are found: Tracey, Tracy, Treacey and Treacy in English and Ó Treasaigh (masculine), Ní Threasaigh (feminine) in Irish. The English spelling of the name appears to be inter-changeable and different variations can be found within a family or even for an individual. When tracing ancestors all spelling of the name should be checked. For convenience the spelling Tracey is used on this website. Usually, the spelling Treacy is particular to Ireland. The following are the variations that have been found:

Surnames: McTressy, O'Tracy, O'Trassy, O'Treacy, O'Tressy , Tracey, Traci, Tracy, Tracye, Trasey, Trasie, Trassey, Trassy, Trasy, Treacy, Treacey, Treacye, Treasy, Treassey, Tressy, Trissey.

Gaelic spelling: Ó Treasaigh (masculine), Ní Threasaigh (feminine), ua Tresaigh, Uí Threasaigh, Uí Treasaigh, uí Treassaich.

Ancient spellings: Thresaigh, Thressaich, T[r]easaigh, Treasaighi, Treassach, Tresach, Tresaich, Tresaig, Tresaigh, Tressach, Tressaich, Tressaig, Tressaigh, Tresuig.

Christian names: Treasach, Tressach (masculine) and Tressa, Trása, Teresa, Treasa (feminine).

Place Names

There are also a number of place names derived from the name:

In Donegal, there is Carntressy (Templecarn).

In Kildare, there are Baltracey (Celbridge) and Baltracey and Newtown Baltracey (Naas).

In Kilkenny, there is Kiltrassy (Callan).

In Waterford, there is Treacy's Hill (Kilmacthomas).

In Wexford, there are Ballytracey (Enniscorthy) and Tracystown (New Ross).

Historical References

The following contain references to the Traceys:

1000 to 1625 AD O'Tracy Genealogy (Irish Genealogy Office Ms 159)

1303 The Red Book of Ormond