Dempsey

[JoannaMF]

I found a site that says it is Irish and means "proud", but I'm not finding much, so I don't know if that's true. It isn't listed on Behind The Name.

Anyone know any history behind this name?

[ckevans]

Yup, both Reaney & Wilson's A Dictionary of English Surnames and Hanks & Hodges's A Dictionary of Surnames say that Dempsey is an Irish surname going back to the Gaelic byname Diomasach, which meant "proud".

P.S. The use of Dempsey as a modern given name may be linked to the career of the boxer Jack Dempsey:

http://www.boxrec.com/media/index.php/Jack_Dempsey

[JoannaMF]

I just was thinking that I liked Demi, but wanted a fuller name... I don't like either of those people, lol. I know who Patrick Dempsey is but not Jack Dempsey.

My husband on the other hand, has an association with the fish, Jack Dempsey, which is his only reservation with using this name.

[JessiesGirl]

I knew a Dempsey when I was 9 .. a boy.. I always thought it would be a better girls name :)