Surname Cassidy - Meaning and Origin

My Self-Discovery Journey with iGENEA DNA Test: A Deep-Dive into My Surname Cassidy

Embarking upon a journey to explore my lineage with the iGENEA DNA test led to fascinating revelations about my surname Cassidy. This involved connecting with individuals sharing the same surname, significantly unravelling my ancestral history.

O. Cassidy

Cassidy: What does the surname Cassidy mean?

The last name Cassidy originates from the Irish surname Ó Caiside, which means "descendant of Caiside". The name Caiside is derived from the Irish-Gaelic elements "cas", meaning 'curly haired', and the diminutive suffix '-ide'. Therefore, the literal meaning of the name can be interpreted as "little curly-haired one". The Cassidys were an ancient Irish clan, historically known for their medical learning, who lived in the north of the country for centuries. Today, the surname is widespread across Ireland and has also become common in English-speaking countries due to the significant Irish diaspora. It is important to note that meanings of surnames can be a somewhat loose interpretation since they hold significant historical and cultural complexities.

Cassidy: Where does the name Cassidy come from?

The last name Cassidy originates from Ireland. It has Gaelic roots and is derived from the Irish surname Ó Caiside, meaning 'descendant of Caiside'. The term 'Caiside' is believed to represent 'curly headed'. The family was part of the ancient tribal grouping known as the 'Ui Fiachrach', who held court in the region now known as County Fermanagh. Notably, the Cassidys were scholarly and held prestigious roles such as physicians and teachers.

Today, the surname Cassidy is still particularly common in Ireland, specifically in areas like Fermanagh. However, due to historical patterns of Irish immigration, the surname has also become prevalent in North America (especially in the United States and Canada), Australia, and the United Kingdom. However, Cassidy is a fairly common surname worldwide due to the global dispersion of the Irish diaspora. It is commonly used as both a first name and a surname.

Variations of the surname Cassidy

The surname Cassidy is derived from the Irish "Ó Caiside," which means "descendant of Caiside." Variations in spelling include Cassady, Casseday, Kassidy, Cassida, Cassedy, Casada, Cassity, and Casiddy. Additionally, it was sometimes anglicized as Costello in Ireland. Despite the spelling variations, they all share the same origin. It's also notable that some families changed their names completely upon immigrating to other countries, either to assimilate or due to misspellings by immigration officers, adding further complexity to the genealogy and history of the name.

In some cases, other surnames could be connected to Cassidy due to cultural, geographical, or historical links. However, this does not necessarily imply that they share the same progenitor. Therefore, people with variants of these surnames may not directly share the Cassidy lineage. In thorough genealogical research, one must bear in mind these complexities, as well as the fact that spelling of surnames has changed substantially over the centuries, often as a result of illiteracy and changes in linguistic norms. Detecting a family's origination often necessitates deep historical research well beyond the immediate surname and its variants.

Famous people with the name Cassidy

• David Cassidy: An actor and musician most known for his role in the television series "The Partridge Family" and several hit albums in the 1970s.
• Katie Cassidy: An actress recognized for her roles in TV shows like "Arrow," "Supernatural," and "Gossip Girl." She is the daughter of David Cassidy.
• Shaun Cassidy: An actor, singer, writer, and producer. He is best known for his roles in TV series like "The Hardy Boys/Nancy Drew Mysteries", and his successful music career in the late 70s. He is the half-brother of David Cassidy.
• Patrick Cassidy: An actor who appeared on Broadway and television, and brother of Shaun Cassidy.
• Jack Cassidy: An actor and singer known for his work on Broadway and television in the mid-20th century. He is the father of David and Shaun Cassidy.
• Ted Cassidy: An actor most famous for his role as Lurch in "The Addams Family."
• Hopalong Cassidy: The on-screen persona of actor William Boyd, who starred in numerous western films.
• Butch Cassidy: Infamous outlaw of the American Wild West, born Robert LeRoy Parker.
• John Cassidy: A prominent writer, and journalist for The New Yorker.
• Cecily Cassidy: A fictional character from the soap drama series “Riverdale,” portrayed by actress Zoé De Grand Maison.

Other surnames

CassidayCassinCassity