Pacey is an English given name and surname, originating as a variant of Passy, a locational surname from France. The name ultimately derives from the Gallo-Roman praenomen Paccius, which is of unknown etymology. Pacey was introduced to England during the 12th century following the Norman Conquest and eventually evolved into a given name as well, a pattern typical of many transferred surnames. Etymology The surname Pacey traces back to French place names such as Pacy in Normandy. The place name Pacy itself is derived from the personal name Paccius, a Latinized form of a Gaulish given name. The meaning of the Gaulish original is unclear, though it may be related to pre-Roman naming traditions in Gaul. Variant spellings and associated names include Passy, Passie, Peacey, and Piosey. In England, the surname predominantly refers to families that migrated during the medieval period. Notable Bearers As a surname, Pacey is held by several notable individuals. In sports, Dave Pacey (1936–2016) and Dennis Pacey (1928–2009) were English footballers; Eric Pacey (born 1978) is a Canadian lacrosse player; Simon Pacey (born 1974) played rugby union for Canada; and Frank Pacey (1926–2007) represented Great Britain in shooting. In other fields, Desmond Pacey (1917–1975) was a prominent Canadian literary critic, Henry Pacey (c.1669–1729) a British politician, and Elizabeth Pacey a Canadian writer. The name also appears in popular culture, notably as the character Pacey Witter from the television series Dawson's Creek, which helped establish it as a given name in modern usage. Distribution and Usage Today, Pacey is primarily found in English-speaking countries, especially the United Kingdom, Canada, and the United States. As a first name, it remains rare but has gained some traction since the late 1990s Meaning: Place name from the Gallo-Roman name Paccius, of unknown meaning Origin: French locational surname brought to England after the Norman Conquest Type: Transferred surname used as a given name Regions: English-speaking world