Anyone know anyone in Waterford named DeCearsais?

Hi Helen

Thank you for your query. My first suggestion would be to take the Irish variation of the name and search its distribution on this website: http://www.irishtimes.com/ancestor/browse/

Did your family emigrate from Ireland? Remember to post as much information as you can with regard to the people you are researching. The more information you post, the more likely it is that one of our volunteers will be able to advise or assist you. Also include information concerning which sources you may have already used so others may further your search.

Here are some other websites that may be of help to you:

http://www.clarelibrary.ie/index.htm

http://www.clareroots.com/

http://genealogylinks.net/uk/ireland/waterford/index.html

http://www.waterfordcountylibrary.ie/en/familyhistory/

http://www.goireland.com/genealogy/county-centres/locations/waterford-c…

http://www.nationalarchives.ie/genealogy1/genealogy-records/introduction/

http://www.nli.ie/en/family-history-introduction.aspx

http://ifhf.rootsireland.ie/?gclid=CKLT_Pa4wrUCFYUf4Qod4EoAGg

Helen I hope that this information will be of use to you. Do not hesitate to contact us again.

Kind regards,                    

Genealogy Support 

Hi genealogy support, thanks for the response. I posted this because even though I knew the Irish name was Kearse/Kerse/Kierce, the info in Irish Names and Surnames, indicated they came from France to ireland , to waterford in the 1300's, and that there might be some in Waterford who still used the French spelling! I hoped by posting this that if anyone knew of any who did, they might get them in touch with me.

     Most of my kerse ancestors came from Clare apparently. Two of your wonderful volunteers are helping me track down some info! But this resource list is most appreciated, as is your whole organization ! Thnks for the feedback.  Helen 

Hello there Helen and greetings from Waterford.  

I recognise the surname despite it wearing a disguise.   I reckon it is a form of DeCourcy  which is a surname found in Waterford though not in great numbers.

The surname is Anglo Norman in origin.  The first of the name in Ireland Sir John DeCourcy arrived in Ireland in 1177 on the instruction of Henry II of England.  He came from England but his family originally came from France having lands around the village of Courci near Rheim. In Ireland Sir John DeCourcy initially ruled over large parts of Ulster but was eventually overthrown by his fellow Norman Hugh DeLacey.  Sir John's son Myles DeCourcy was then granted lands and privilages in Co Cork, among them the Baronecy of Kinsale.

I hope the above 'potted history' is of interest to you.  

Good wishes to you

Tony Hennessy

Hello again Helen

I've had another look at De Cearsais and it looks like it's closer to Kiersey / Keirsey than DeCourcy.  Keirsey is originally a Norman toponymic (named after a placename) and the surname has been in Waterford since the 13th Century.  In Irish it is de C?arsaigh which reveals its Norman origins.  Apart from their shared origins the surname is not related or connected to the surname DeCourcy

There were c.10 Kiersey households in the 1911 census for Waterford

Tony Hennessy

How exciting! I think you are exactly right with this! I'll investigate the 1911 census! Thank you so much for your time! Helen