De Léis

de LÉIS—XI—de Lesse, de Lease, De Lacy, Lacy, Lacey; Norman 'de Laci,' i.e., of Lacy or Lassy in France. The de Lacys came over to England with William the Conqueror, and some of them appear in Domesday Book as tenants-in-chief. At the time of the Anglo-Norman invasion, Hugh de Lacy was granted the whole of the province of Meath, but owing to failure of male issue this vast territory soon passed away into other families. A highly distinguished branch of the de Lacys settled in Co. Limerick where they had castles at Ballingarry, Bruree, Bruff, etc. Pierce Lacy of Bruff was a celebrated captain in the wars against Elizabeth. Several of the de Lacys became famous in the service of Continental powers, notably Count Peter de Lacy, born in Co. Limerick in 1678, who was a celebrated military commander in Russia, and his son, Maurice, Marshal de Lacy, who was no less famous in the Austrian service; while another Maurice de Lacy, also born in Co. Limerick, in 1740, became a General in the Russian army. The de Lacys were also distinguished in Spain, where Count de Lacy was a famous general and diplomat in the 18th century.

Alphabetical Index to Irish Surnames