Surname Vesey - Meaning and Origin
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Vesey: What does the surname Vesey mean?
The last name Vesey has a few possible meanings and origins. Its most common origins are Irish, Scottish, and English. It could be derived from an old English personal name such as Vescy or Vesey. In this case, the name would mean from the estate or village of Vescy or Vesey. Alternatively, the Irish version of Vesey could come from the Irish surname Ó Fíodhaisigh which translates to mean descendant of Fiadhasach (a personal name often translated as perspicuous or wise man). In this case, the name would mean the ‘descendant of the wise man’.
Additionally, the Scottish version of Vesey is most likely derived from the Pictish pre-10th century name Vessaig. This name was believed to mean ‘the estate belonging to Ves’, presumably an old Norman personal name.
The surname Vesey is often seen as an anglicised version of the Gaelic name Ó Fíodhaisigh. Vesey is a relatively common surname, with at least 2000 people still bearing the name in 2021. It is particularly common in Ireland, England, Scotland, Australia, and New Zealand.
No matter which origin you trace the name back to, the name Vesey has stood the test of time. With so many people still bearing the name, it is likely to live on for many more generations.
Order DNA origin analysisVesey: Where does the name Vesey come from?
The last name Vesey is primarily located in the United Kingdom and Ireland. It is thought to be a variant of the first name Vescey, which originates from England and is derived from an Anglo Saxon personal name, Vescei.
In the United Kingdom, the Vesey name is most common in the counties of Essex, Surrey, Sussex, and Kent. In Essex, the Vesey name first appears in the Parish Register of Frating in 1540. From there, it has spread throughout the country, and was also an established name in Ireland from an early period.
In Australia, the Vesey name is most common in New South Wales, with the highest concentration in the cities of Sydney and Newcastle. This is likely due to the large amount of English immigrants to Australia during the 19th century who would have brought the name with them.
In the United States, the Vesey surname is concentrated in the states of California, Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, New York, and Virginia. This likely reflects a high number of English immigrants during the colonial period, as well as Irish immigration in the 19th century.
Overall, the Vesey surname is most common in the United Kingdom and Ireland and is found in a large number of countries around the world, particularly in areas with a large English diaspora.
Variations of the surname Vesey
The Vesey surname has a variety of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin. These can include Vesey, Vescy, Vasy, Vasye, Vassie, Vassay, Vassie, Vassye, Vasye, Vessiche, Vessichee, Vessy, Vessye, Vesy, Visa, Visay, Visaye, Vissay, Vissaye, Vyce, Vycey, Vycy, and Vysy. Many of these variants take on a slightly altered spelling when used in different countries.
Vesey may derive from the Middle English personal name, Vese, which is derived from the Old French vesci, meaning “people or vassals”. This personal name was originally used to describe a vassal of a feudal lord, or someone who was bound to service. It was commonly used among English speakers during the Middle Ages.
Another origin of Vesey may be derived from a place-name such as Vassy in Normandy, France, which originates from the Gallo-Roman personal name, Vassius.
In Ireland, the surname of Vesey is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic Ó Fíodhshe, which means “descendant of Fiach”. The personal name Fiach means “raven” in Gaelic.
The surnames of Wacey, Wassie, and Washy may also be variants of Vesey, as these names derive from the Old French personal name Vassius, which is also a source of the Vesey surname.
Overall, the Vesey surname has a variety of spellings and variants that can be traced to an array of countries and origins. As the surname evolved from a personal name and place-name, the spelling of the surname could have been subject to various changes in different areas.
Famous people with the name Vesey
- Hugh Vesey: a British diplomat and former ambassador to Iraq and chief executive of the British Council
- James R. Vesey: a former secretary of the United States Navy
- William Vesey-FitzGerald: a British general and statesman
- Francis Vesey: an English Catholic priest and martyr
- Thomas C. Vesey: an American Civil War general
- Harry Vesey: a member of the United States House of Representatives
- Bear Vesey: a US Navy captain
- Mathias Vesey: a well-known 18th century African-American poet
- Henry Vesey: a prominent New York lawyer
- Tom Vesey: an English professional footballer
- Justin Vesey: a Canadian ice hockey player
- Lina Vesey: an American opera singer from the early 20th century
- Denis Vesey: an Irish painter and illustrator
- John Charles Vesey: an Anglican priest and author
- Simon Vesey: English entrepreneur and businessman
- Edward Vesey (or Vessey): a British Army general
- Michael Vesey: a British Army lieutenant colonel
- Sir Samuel Vesey: a British naval officer
- William Vesey: an English clergyman