Hickie, Hicky, O’ Hickee, O’ Hickey, Ó hÍceadha
The name Hickey is the Anglicisation of the Gaelic Ó hIcidhe, from the word “iceadh” meaning ‘healer’. This name was the result of the clan’s position as hereditary physicians to the royal O’ Brien family. The sept was part of the Dál gCais tribal grouping, and was based in the counties of Clare and Tipperary. The name is common throughout Ireland today, but remains strongest in counties Clare and Tipperary, and neighbouring Co. Limerick. |