Delacey
One meaning is a surname transferred from an English place named from Norman French "de la(a)ssi" meaning "of the vent or vent hole".
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 308 Americans carry the last name Delacey. That puts it at #75,564 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.09 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 1,112,839 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Delacey surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
308
1 in 1,112,839
Census rank
#75,564
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
255
very rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 255 bearers of the surname Delacey in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 75564th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Delacey, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.7%.
Origin
Meaning and origin of Delacey
The surname Delacey is of English origin, with roots dating back to the 12th century. It is a locational name, derived from the Old French phrase "de la ce," meaning "from the well" or "from the spring." This suggests that the first bearers of this name lived near a notable well or spring.
The earliest recorded instances of the Delacey surname can be found in the Pipe Rolls of Staffordshire in 1199, where it appears as "de la Cee." Over time, the spelling evolved into Delacey, Delacy, and other variations.
One of the earliest notable individuals with this surname was Sir Hugh Delacey, a Norman knight who accompanied William the Conqueror during the Norman Conquest of England in 1066. He was granted lands in Lincolnshire and Leicestershire for his service.
In the 13th century, the Delacey family established themselves in Hertfordshire, where they held the manor of Folly John in the parish of Hitchin. Sir John Delacey, born around 1250, was a prominent member of this branch of the family.
The Delacey name is also associated with the village of Delancey in Normandy, France. It is believed that some members of the Delacey family may have originated from this area before migrating to England.
During the reign of King Edward III (1327-1377), a Sir William Delacey served as a member of the King's Council and held the position of Lord Privy Seal. He was also a renowned soldier and fought in the Battle of Crécy during the Hundred Years' War.
Another notable figure was Sir Ralph Delacey, born in 1420, who served as Lord Mayor of London in 1478. He was a wealthy merchant and philanthropist, known for his contributions to the city's infrastructure and charitable institutions.
In the 16th century, the Delacey family had a presence in Wiltshire, where they held the manor of Winterbourne Earls. Sir Edward Delacey, born in 1560, was a prominent member of this branch and served as a Member of Parliament for Wiltshire.
Throughout history, the Delacey surname has been borne by individuals from various walks of life, including knights, soldiers, politicians, merchants, and landowners. While the name may have evolved in spelling over the centuries, its roots can be traced back to the Old French phrase "de la ce," reflecting the family's connection to a well or spring in their ancestral homeland.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Delacey
Among Census respondents with the surname Delacey, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.7%.
The bar chart below shows how Delacey bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Delacey surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White95.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Delacey surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #75,564 | #75,564 | 0.0% |
| Count | 255 | 255 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.09 | 0.09 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Delacey bearers went from 255 to 255 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #75,564 to #75,564.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Delacey
FAQ
Delacey surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Delacey?
The surname Delacey holds position #75,564 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 308 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.09 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Delacey surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Delacey, the largest self-reported group is White at 95.7%. These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.