Find out how popular the first name Tansey has been for the last 5 years (from 1977 to 1981) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Tansey by gender

Based on the last 5 years of data, Tansey is exclusively a female name.

For the most recent data in 1981, there were 6 female babies and 0 male babies born with the name Tansey.

The history of the first name Tansey

The given name Tansey is believed to have originated from the Old English word "tansige," which means "the dweller among the tansy plants." Tansy is a flowering herb that was widely used for medicinal purposes in ancient times. The name likely emerged in England during the Anglo-Saxon period, between the 5th and 11th centuries AD.

One of the earliest recorded instances of the name Tansey can be found in the Domesday Book, a comprehensive survey of landholdings in England commissioned by William the Conqueror in 1086. The entry mentions a landowner named Tansey de Gloucestershire, suggesting that the name was already in use by the late 11th century.

In the 13th century, a notable figure named Tansey de Cambridgeshire was mentioned in the "Annals of Ely," a historical chronicle written by the monks of Ely Cathedral. This reference suggests that the name was not uncommon in medieval England.

The name Tansey gained further prominence in the 16th century when Tansey Wetherell (1509-1583), a renowned herbalist and apothecary, published her influential work, "The Herbal of Tansey Wetherell." This book detailed the medicinal properties of various plants, including the tansy herb, and helped popularize the name among the English gentry.

In the 17th century, Tansey Milligan (1638-1712) was a notable Scottish writer and poet who wrote extensively about the Scottish highlands and their cultural traditions. Her works, such as "The Ballads of the Highlands," helped preserve and promote the rich literary heritage of Scotland.

Another prominent figure with the name Tansey was Tansey O'Connell (1790-1856), an Irish revolutionary who played a significant role in the Irish Rebellion of 1798. She was known for her bravery and leadership during the uprising against British rule and is celebrated as a patriotic hero in Irish history.

While the name Tansey has been more commonly used as a surname in recent times, its origins as a given name can be traced back to the ancient cultures of the British Isles, where it was closely associated with the tansy herb and its medicinal properties.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Tansey was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Tansey, please contact us.

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