Lacey
/ˈleɪ.si/
Lacey is an English surname from the Norman place name Lassy in Normandy, France, which likely derives from the Gaulish personal name Lascius.
The de Lacy family, Norman nobles who came to England with William the Conqueror, gave the surname its English pedigree.
The word association with lace—the delicate textile—is a secondary but powerful reinforcement for the name’s feminine use. Lace carries connotations of refinement, detail, and beauty that the name inherits effortlessly.
What the name Lacey means
Lacey peaked at No. 116 in 1984 with 2,399 births. In 2024 it ranks No. 746 with 376 births, well past its 1980s peak but maintaining steady use.
The television series Cagney & Lacey (1981-1988) featured Detective Mary Beth Lacey, played by Tyne Daly. The show’s groundbreaking portrayal of female police detectives drove the surname into regular use as a given name.
Two syllables—LAY-see—are bright and approachable. The name shares the easy, friendly quality of Sadie, Gracie, and Daisy—the -ey ending signaling warmth and informality.
Parents who choose Lacey today often value its combination of Norman heritage, lace imagery, and the cheerful quality of names ending in that familiar -ey sound.
Variant spellings include Lacy (single e), Lacee, and Lacie, each a slightly different orthographic version of the same name.
US popularity over time
Numerology and symbolism
Based on Pythagorean numerology — a traditional system linking name letters to numbers. Presented for cultural interest.
Famous people named Lacey
Lacey - similar names
Not seeing what you want? Browse all names by origin or popularity