Dorsey History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Gaelic is at the heart of all the Irish surnames that can be found throughout the world today. The original Gaelic form of the name Dorsey is “O’Dorchaidhe,” from the word “dorcha,” which means “dark.” Alternatively, some branches of the family may be descended from Norman stock; the name is also derived from “Arcy,” the name of a place in La Manche, Normandy. In this case, the surname would refer to “one from Arcy.”

Early Origins of the Dorsey family

The surname Dorsey was first found in Galway (Irish: Gaillimh) part of the province of Connacht, located on the west coast of the Island, where they held a family seat from ancient times.

Early History of the Dorsey family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Dorsey research.

Dorsey Spelling Variations

The recording of names in Ireland in the Middle Ages was an inconsistent endeavor at best. The many regional dialects and the predominate illiteracy would have made common surnames appear unrelated to the scribes of the period. Research into the name Dorsey revealed spelling variations, including Dorcey, Dorcy, Dorsey, Darcey, D’Arcy, O’Dorcey, MacDarcy, Darsy and many more.

Early Notables of the Dorsey family (pre 1700)

Notable amongst the family name at this time was Sir John D’Arcy, chief Governor of Irelandunder Kings Edward I, II, III (14th century).

Dorsey Ranking

In the United States, the name Dorsey is the 604^th most popular surname with an estimated 49,740 people with that name. [1]

 Dorsey migration to the United States +

The 19th century saw a great wave of Irish migrating out of their homeland in a great measure due to the oppressive imperial policies of the English government and landowners. Many of these Irish families sailed to North America aboard overcrowded passenger ships. By far, the largest influx of Irish immigrants to North America occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These particular immigrants were instrumental in creation of the United States and Canada as major industrial nations because the many essential elements such as the roadways, canals, bridges, and railways required an enormous quantity of cheap labor, which these poor immigrants provided. Later generations of Irish in these countries also went on to make valuable contributions in such fields as the arts, commerce, politics, and education. Extensive research into immigration and passenger lists has revealed many early immigrants bearing the name Dorsey: 

Dorsey Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

• Edward Dorsey, who settled in Virginia in 1646
• James Dorsey, who landed in Maryland in 1668 [2]

Dorsey Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

• Patrick Dorsey, aged 30, who arrived in Maine in 1812 [2]
• Mrs. Dorsey, who landed in New York, NY in 1812 [2]
• Peter Dorsey, who landed in Maryland in 1813 [2]
• Hugh Dorsey, aged 18, who arrived in New York in 1849 [2]
• Caleb Dorsey, who arrived in San Francisco, California in 1850 [2]

 Dorsey migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were: 

Dorsey Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• C F Dorsey, who landed in Victoria, British Columbia in 1862

 Dorsey migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include: 

Dorsey Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Dr. D’Orsey, British settler travelling from London, UK aboard the ship “Bengal Merchant” arriving in Port Nicholson, (Wellington Harbour), New Zealand on 20th February 1840 [3]
• Mrs. D’Orsey, British settler travelling from London, UK with 2 children aboard the ship “Bengal Merchant” arriving in Port Nicholson, (Wellington Harbour), New Zealand on 20th February 1840 [3]

Contemporary Notables of the name Dorsey (post 1700) +

• Jack Dorsey (b. 1976), American web developer and businessman, known as the creator of Twitter and as the founder and CEO of Square
• Thomas Francis “Tommy” Dorsey (1905-1956), American jazz musician, trumpeter, composer, and bandleader of the Big Band era, known as “The Sentimental Gentleman of Swing”
• James “Jimmy” Dorsey (1904-1957), American jazz clarinetist, saxophonist, trumpeter, composer, and big band leader, older brother of Tommy Dorsey
• Richard Elmer “Joey” Dorsey (b. 1983), American professional basketball player
• Thomas Andrew Dorsey (1899-1993), American musician, known as “the father of black gospel music”
• Irving Lee Dorsey (1924-1986), American pop/R&B singer during the 1960s
• Sarah Anne Ellis Dorsey (1829-1879), born Sarah Anne Ellis, an American novelist and historian, known for her biography of Henry Watkins Allen, Governor of Louisiana
• Glenn Jamon Dorsey (b. 1985), American NFL football defensive end for the Kansas City Chiefs
• Kenneth Simon “Ken” Dorsey (b. 1981), American former NFL football quarterback and current NFL quarterback coach, a two-time Heisman Trophy finalist
• Gail Ann Dorsey (b. 1962), American session musician who has long worked with David Bowie

Related Stories +

The Dorsey Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Un dieu, un roi
Motto Translation: One God, one king.