Biography Wikipedia
Wikipedia:
Dempsey is a surname of Irish origin.
Background
Dempsey is an anglicised form of Ó Diomasaigh, « descendant of Díomasaigh »; the latter stems from the Irish adjective díomasach « proud ». The family originated in the Kingdom of Uí Failghe.
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." [1]
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." [2]
The family of the viscounts Clanmalier were attainted upon the death of Maximilian, the 3rd viscount, in 1691.
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. [1]
The final person may be identical with Failge Berraide (fl.507-514), a King of the Uí Failge and of Laigin descent (see List of kings of Uí Failghe).
Dempseys in the annals
The Irish annals 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 Antrim and its neighbouring counties [1].
Bearers of the name
The name Dempsey may refer to:
Women:
Muriel Dempsey (1905–1986), Canadian authorRosemary Dempsey, American feminist activistSandra Dempsey, Canadian playwrightMen:
Bill Dempsey (born 1942), former Australian rules footballerCedric Dempsey, former American sports executiveClint Dempsey (born 1983), American soccer playerCourtenay Dempsey (born 1987), Australian rules footballerDamien Dempsey, Irish singer and songwriterDan Dempsey, Australian rugby league footballerDenis Dempsey (1826–1896), Irish soldier, recipient of the Victoria CrossDonald Dempsey (c. 1932–2005), American recording executiveEd Dempsey, Canadian ice hockey coachGary Dempsey: Gary Dempsey (born 1948), Australian rules football playerGary Dempsey (footballer) (born 1981), Irish footballerGeorge Dempsey: George Dempsey (basketball) (born 1929), American basketball playerGeorge Dempsey (diplomat), American diplomatGeorge Dempsey (teacher), Irish teacherGirvan Dempsey (born 1975), Irish rugby union footballerIan Dempsey (born 1961), Irish radio presenterJack Dempsey: Jack Dempsey (1895–1983), heavyweight American boxerJack Dempsey (politician), Australian politician, MP from 2006Jack Dempsey (wrestler), ring name of Thomas Moore (1920–2007), British professional wrestlerJack (Nonpareil) Dempsey (1862–1895), born John Edward Kelly, middleweight Irish boxerJames Dempsey (1917–1982), Scottish politician, MP 1959–1982John Dempsey: John Dempsey (footballer) (born 1946), Irish retired footballerJohn Dempsey (lyricist), also playwrightJohn N. Dempsey (1915–1989), American politician (Connecticut)John J. Dempsey (1879–1958), American politician (New Mexico)John P. Dempsey (born January 3, 1901, died 1975) California Superior Court Justice, Santa Clara CountyLorcan Dempsey (born 1958), Irish library information expertMark Dempsey: Mark Dempsey (English footballer) (born 1964), English footballer and coachMark Dempsey (Irish footballer) (born 1972), retired Irish footballerMartin Dempsey (born 1952), American general, 18th and current Chairman, US Joint Chiefs of StaffMichael Dempsey: Michael Dempsey (born 1958), British musicianMicheal Dempsey (footballer) (born 1975), Irish footballerMick Dempsey (Gaelic footballer), retired Irish gaelic footballerMiles Dempsey (1896–1969), British general of World War IINathan Dempsey (born 1974), Canadian ice hockey playerNick Dempsey (born 1980), English windsurferNoel Dempsey (born 1953), Irish politicianPatrick Dempsey (born 1966), American actor in Grey's Anatomy, moviesPaul Dempsey (born 1976), Australian rock musicianRey Dempsey, retired American college football coachRichard Dempsey (born 1974), English actorRick Dempsey (born 1949), retired American baseball playerS. Wallace Dempsey (1862–1949), American Republican politician, Congressman 1915–1931Tom Dempsey: Tom Dempsey (born 1947), retired American football playerTom Dempsey (Missouri) (born 1967), American Republican restaurateur and politicianTommy Dempsey, American college basketball coachTony Dempsey (born 1944), Irish Fianna Fáil politician, TD 2002–2007Travis Demsey, born Travis Dempsey, Australian musicianAs a given name:
Dempsey Bob (born 1948), Canadian woodcarverDempsey Burges (1751–1800), American politician, Congressman 1795–1799Dempsey Wilson (1927–1971), American racecar driverP. Dempsey Tabler (1876–1956), American actor, athlete and businessman