By Tara Dougherty, Music Editor
December / January 2010
by 39 Comments
Casey, from the Irish O’Cathasaigh, is a common surname in Ireland originally meaning “vigilant” or “watchful.” At least six different septs of the name existed in early Ireland as both O’Casey and MacCasey.
These septs were each very significant rulers in their locations, primarily in Munster counties. The O’Caseys of west Dublin were the Lords of the Suathni. Another line of O’Caseys were erenaghs, or keepers of church revenue, in Clondara, County Roscommon.
The Dalcassian septs were seated at Liscannon, County Limerick, and near Mitchelstown, County Cork. In the 14th century, three bishops named MacCasey were seated at Clogher in County Monaghan.
John Keegan “Leo” Casey (1846 – 1870) was a poet, novelist and orator as well as a famous Republican in the Fenian Rising. Born in County Westmeath, John was learning under his father to become a teacher when he discovered the lure of the pen.
At the age of fifteen he wrote the famous song The Rising of the Moon to commemorate the Irish Rebellion of 1798. He later took on the pen name “Leo” and under it wrote extensively for the Nation newspaper. As a leader of the Fenian Rising of 1867, John was imprisoned for eight months. After his release he lived in poor health for a short time before his death on St. Patrick’s Day, 1870.
It was reported that between fifty and one hundred thousand mourners attended the beloved writer’s funeral.
Another famous O’Casey writer was 20th century playwright Seán O’Casey (1880-1964), pictured above. Born John Casey, Seán adopted the Gaelic spelling of his name as his interest in the Irish nationalist cause grew. His famous works include Juno and the Payco*ck, set during the Irish Civil War, and The Plough and the Stars, which is set in Dublin during the Easter Rising of 1916. He wrote initially on political issues, attacking imperialist wars, but in his later career, the Dublin native became known for being one of the first playwrights to write about working-class Dublin.
Seán O’Casey’s daughter Shivaun O’Casey began her career as a scenic designer in theater before becoming an actress. She settled as a director and founded the O’Casey Theater Company in her father’s honor. Shivaun moved on to film and made a documentary, In the Shadow of O’Casey, about her father.
Also among the ranks of famous Casey writers is John Casey (1939-). A native of Worcester, Massachusetts, John is a famous American novelist who secured the National Book Award in 1989 for his book Spartina.
In the world of business, Liam Casey is the founder and CEO of PCH International, and Irish America’s Business 100 keynote speaker this year. His supply chain management company has grown to offices in Ireland, China, Singapore, the U.S., Brazil, the UK and South Africa.
William J. Casey (1913-1987) served under President Reagan as the Director of the Central Intelligence Agency (CIA). The Queens, New York native largely helped to shape foreign policy in the Reagan administration, particularly in reaction to Soviet activity. William succumbed to brain cancer in 1987.
Another Casey who carried the tradition of government service is Mary Ann Casey (1949-), an American diplomat. She is now retired after a career in foreign diplomacy as a Foreign Service Officer and U.S. Ambassador to Algeria (1991-1994) and Tunisia (1994-1997). Mary Ann has worked extensively in Northern Africa with a stint in the U.S. Embassy in Morocco as well as some time as a desk officer in Iraq.
In the world of sports, Conor Casey (1981-) is an American soccer player, currently a forward for the MSL’s Colorado Rapids. He recently earned attention on the international scale after scoring two goals against Honduras in the World Cup qualifier that pushed the U.S. team through to the 2010 World Cup in South Africa.
Currently ranked behind only Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson is English golfer and another athletic member of the clan, Paul Casey (1977-). He is on the PGA tour and the European tour, at the peak of a professional golf career.
Reader Interactions
Comments
Kathleen Lorraine Boulay-Eaton saysI have several Casey ancestors who came from Mitchelstown, County Cork, Ireland. I would like to find out more about the family in Ireland. Would I be eligible to become a member or subscribe to your publication?
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- IrishAmerica says
Hi Kathleen! You can subscribe to the magazine at https://irishamerica.com/give-a-gift/
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- Carrie says
We also have Casey family from Mitchelstown, County Cork. Are you in any of the DNA databases?
Thanks, Carrie Cartwright BergquistReply
- Richard Casey says
I am in the Ancestry data base. Originated around County Cork
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- KRISTIN BROWNELL says
We have James Casey (1807-1898 who married Mary O’Brien (1806-1886) in Mitchelstown then settled in Canada. They are my Great, great, great grandparents.
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- Mike says
They didn’t settle in Canada, they got exiled to Canada for tar and feathering the tax collector. How’s it going my distant relative?
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- Bernadette Casey Eckberg says
That was rich!!! Made me laugh I’m a Casey too
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- Karen says
My family are Casey.My grandad was Edward and he had 2 sisters called Betty and Ann.Edward was in the merchant navy and his father was a royal Irish fusilier.
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- Lilyan Casey says
I come from the Casey clan.
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- Karen A Tamura says
I was born Karen A Casey Long Beach, CA 1955
My dad; William G Casey Nebraska 1926-2019Reply
- Christopher Casey says
odd you posted this on my birthday from 4 years ago haha im a fellow Casey in search of a definite link to some Casey lineages for i’ve been ex-communicated to New Orleans. Any info on any members down here would be amazing, Casey, Live Long, Live Strong !
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- ciaran colgan says
I am trying to trace a Casey family from Mitchlestown Co Cork some details Mary O Keeffe 1851 /1928 married William Casey. Known to immigrated to New York with at least one daughter,
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- meagan casey says
I am a direct decent of the Casey clan
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- Donna Casey says
Hey cuz it’s me Donna Casey 😊 so glad I started researching
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- Donna Casey says
I’m in Pittsworth Queensland Australia xoxo
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- Chris Casey says
I am a Casey. My family I believe were prominent in the Virginia and South Carolina areas. My grandfather Garland was a navy officer and if history is right I’m related to Christopher Columbus Casey. He was part of the Arkansas infantry
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- Donna Casey says
Hi Casey clan, my name is Donna Casey, I live in Queensland Australia. So glad I found you all.
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- shaun casey says
hi Donna I am also in Queensland all the Casey’s I know are from Inglewood qld where he grew up he passed away before I got to find out more about our heritage
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- Cody Casey says
I’m from the Casey’s, my family came from Roscommon, and that’s all Ive been able to figure out so far.
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- Alan D Winegarden says
My wife is a descendant of the Casey’s who were in Rawdon, Hants Co., Nova Scotia, Canada during the last half of the 1700s.
Anyone else? I’ve hit dead ends there.
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- Thomas Casey says
Good Morning and Hello to all you Casey’s . I am the great grandson of Catherine Casey From County Roscommon. She moved to the US as a child around 1920 or so. Don’t know much more than that. I live in Upstate NY. Hope you are all well.
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- Jim Frost says
Hi Casey Clan!
My great grandfather John Vincent Casey was born on March 20, 1865, in Limerick, Limerick, Ireland, to Johana Elizabeth Fitzgerald, age 33, and James Casey, age 31.
He moved to New Brunswick, Canada and died July 25, 1839 at the age of 74 in Milltown, New Brunswick, Canada.
I would like any assistance possible in finding out more about my Casey ancestry!
Thank you,
Jim FrostReply
- Sean says
Hey Jim, I’m a casey as well. currently reading about the rape of Nanking and found a man named Lewis Strong Casey Smythe. He was a secretary of the international committee there and regarded as a hero in the region. He is the son of Annie Amelia Casey, who is of New Brunswick.
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- Declan casey says
Hi all I’m declan casey I live in Belfast Northern Ireland were only a small group of caseys live I am lead to believe we originally from County Cork and some fled to America in early 1900s
Great to see people searching there historyReply
- KRISTIN BROWNELL says
Could you tell us your parents/grandparents names and dates? We might be related 🙂
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- Georgina Casey says
Hi Casey Clan, Manchester UK Casey here who’s Grandparents (and great great grandparents) also trace back to limerick. A few of my line went to Kentucky and New York.. Maurice, James Casey Hannorah Casey
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- M Casey says
I am a Casey from Manchester too … ancestry DNA points towards Limerick & Roscommon for my paternal side
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- Jeremy Loebs says
Hello-
My Great Grandmother Mary Casey was a stowaway from county Cork fleeing starvation. She sailed from Ireland to New York and then around the Cape of Good Hope to become an indentured servant in San Jose, CA. How would I ever find out about her background?
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- Tracey says
Hi , I’m a daughter of John Casey who resided in Limerick , there are a few cousins who were adopted out , I think I have 2 brothers and a sister , one brother passed away , I’m in contact with his daughter but we don’t know much more except she has a half sister , who also in contact with , any help would be appreciated x
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- Justin Patrick Casey says
Hello Casey Clan!! I’m Justin, the great grandson of William Casey & Mary Browne, both from Westport / County Mayo, who married in Chicago, Illinois in 1917. Our tree currently ends with Liam De Brun, buried in Kilmeena. I returned to Westport & met Irish cousins in 2022, had the time of my life with family from Chicago & County Mayo!!
Currently living in the Rocky Mountains; Steamboat Springs, Colorado. Any other skiing Caseys out there??
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- Meri Casey says
I am a skiing Casey, though I kept Casey as a middle name after getting married. I don’t actually know much about my Casey lineage, other than that my grandfather, also a William Casey, was a fireman in Queens and many of his older relatives worked building NYC skyscrapers and subways. I am along the Front Range, and usually ski Monarch and Copper.
Slainte!
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- Michael Casey says
Hello everyone.
Michael J. Casey here. I have DNA from Munster and Limerick. Most all of my family is from the Chicago, Illinois area. I live in Indiana. Surnames / Names: Catherine (Kitty) Smith lived in Drumsern KilHoyle. Michael Casey lived in Limerick, Clarke and Smith lived in Limerick. I have McDonalds as well. I have a well established tree. Brick wall has been Ireland. Ring a bell anyone?Reply
- Philip George Croft says
My Maternal Grandfather was James Casey, who emigrated from Wexford to Liverpool , with his father ,Thomas, in the 1890’s.. They both worked on Liverpool Docks. James married Margaret Brown , in 1903, they had 8 children, one died in infancy. My mother Mary was the second born. The greatest unsolved mystery, was the disappearance of my aunt Annie Casey, born 1907, in Liverpool, ( the 3rd child ) she was Christned Anna, registered as Hannah, but listed as Annie, in the 1911—1921 Census. Hasn’t been traced since.
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- Brian Casey says
My father Daniel Casey is from County Cork. Moved to NY a long time go. Still allot of family in Cork but I understand my father had an uncle that moved to somewhere is the mid-west, possibly Wisconsin when he was young and his uncle lost touch with the family. I would love to find out it I have family somewhere else out there…
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- Paul Casey says
Im part of the Casey Clan,Im from c.o.Antrim,in the 6 Counties of the Island,its fantastic to hear and see that the Casey name is alive and well all over the globe.Casey,Casey your the devil when you get behind the wheel🤣🤣Christy Moore number.
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- Tom Walsh says
Looking for relatives and history of Casey’s from Elphin, County Roscommon. Uncle’s great grandfather Michael was born to John Joseph Casey II (also born in Roscommon) who later moved to Dumbarton, Scotland. Michael emigrated to San Francisco,CA.
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- John Casey says
Hello Casey relatives!!! I’m John Casey 7th generation of Abner Casey 1725 .. Brothers Abner and Peter came over from Ulster in 1725 settling in SC and N.Georgia..Brigader General Levi Casey served in the Revolutionary War he was son of Abner…he also went on to become a representative from the great state of South Carolina
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- Stacey Webster says
Hello all!
I have run into a brick wall with my Casey ancestry. Would appreciate if anyone could supply info on Michael B. Casey (b. 1801) and his wife Anne/Ann/Annie Reynolds (b. @1810). The subsequent descendents remained in Iowa. I’m having trouble discovering how and where they arrived in North America and/or left Ireland. No idea of originating location within Ireland.
Thank you!
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- Jan says
I’m in the same pickle. My great grandmother was a Casey whose father immigrated to the US during the potato famine. But the names I have of Casey relatives are so common that even with birth and death dates there are so many possibilities that I’ve hit a dead end. I’m traveling to Ireland in Aug. 2024 and would love to visit the area where that great great grandfather left.
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