Origin of the Dempsey Surname
The Dempsey surname is of French/Spanish origin (French). In the 2010 U.S. Census it ranked #1,308 with 26,863 Americans (9.11 per 100K people).
What the name meant to the first families who bore it — and how Dempsey traveled across regions and centuries — is written out in the full Heritage Report.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Dempsey |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Full etymology in the Heritage Report |
| Origin | French/Spanish |
| Language | French |
| US Rank (2010) | #1,308 |
| US Count (2010) | 26,863 |
| Per 100K People | 9.11 |
| First Letter | D |
Ethnic Distribution of Dempsey
Among 26,863 Americans named Dempsey, the largest self-reported group is White (88.86%).
The full multi-group chart (every percentage, print-ready) is inside the Heritage Report — not repeated here.
Popularity of Dempsey Over Time
Between the 2000 and 2010 U.S. Census, the national rank of Dempsey moved down. Exact counts for both years — print-ready — are in the Heritage Report.
Where did the Dempsey family really come from?
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The Complete Story of the Dempsey Family
What you’ve read above is just the overview. Your full Dempsey Heritage Report goes far deeper — and it’s yours to keep, print & share with your family.
- ✓ The true origin & meaning of Dempsey
- ✓ The Dempsey coat of arms & heraldry
- ✓ Migration journey across the world
- ✓ Where Dempsey families live today
- ✓ Notable Dempsey bearers in history
- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
- ✓ A step-by-step guide to start tracing your own family tree
🎁 A heritage keepsake to pass down — perfect as a gift.
Get one Dempsey fact most families never hear by email — a teaser, not the full etymology (that’s in the report).
Similar Surnames to Dempsey
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Dempsey.
Other French/Spanish Surnames
Explore more surnames with French/Spanish roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same French/Spanish origin as Dempsey.
Frequently Asked Questions About Dempsey
Top Surnames Starting with D
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter D, ranked by population.
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