Dempsey

Dempsey is a surname of Irish origin. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Ó Díomasaigh, and is associated with several medieval Irish families. The exact meaning of Díomasaigh is uncertain, but the name denotes lineage and patrilineal descent. Over the centuries the name spread into wider Irish communities and, with emigration from Ireland, into the English-speaking world.

Today Dempsey is found primarily in Ireland and among Irish diaspora communities in North America, the United Kingdom, Australia, and elsewhere. It is overwhelmingly a surname, though in a few cases it appears as a given name, usually in family lines or in honorific usage.

Prominent individuals with the surname include Jack Dempsey (1889–1983), an American heavyweight boxing champion known for his aggressive style; Clint Dempsey (born 1983), an American soccer player who captained the United States national team; and Patrick Dempsey (born 1966), an American actor best known for the television series Grey's Anatomy. The name has appeared across fields including sports, politics, and entertainment.

Other references include Dempsey as a fictional or media name used in various works, and the Dempsey family is sometimes noted in genealogical records of Ireland. The name thus reflects a blend of Gaelic origin and later English-language usage.