Cusack Family Crest, Coat of Arms and Name History

Cusack Origin:

France

Origin of Cusack:

This unusual surname derived from the Norman-French locational origin from Cussac in Guienne, an old district of southwest France. So named from the Gallo-Roman particular name “Cucius” or “Cussius,” with the addition of component “-acum,” which means an agreement. First appearing in Ireland after the invasion of the Anglo-Norman attacks of 1169 – 1170. The was name first Anglicized as “de Cussac” and “de Cusack,” and concluded as “de Ciomhsog” in Irish. Cusick, with other Norman names like Tobin (originally “St. Aubyn”) and Roche (ultimately “de Roche”), may now introduce as totally Hibernicized. The first listed name holders were given lands in divisions Meath and Kildare. The name also appears in 14th Century documents of divisions Clare and Roscommon, where it was Gaelicized as “Mac Iosog” and “Ciosog.” The Annals of the Four Masters register a war between the Cusacks and the Barrets in Connacht, about 1281. Today the name spread widely all over the Ireland, especially in Munster, where it Anglicized as Cusack, Cusick, Cuseck, Cuseick, Kusick, and Kewzick. In 1520, the birth of Patrick Cusack listed in Gerrardstown by Navan, division Meath, and in March 1737, Timothy, son of Matt Cusick, named in Ballyhay, division Cork.

Variations:

More common variations of this surname are: Cussack, Cuesack, Cusiack, Cusaack, Cuseack, Cousack, Causack, Cusac, Cusak, Cusck.

Ireland:

The surname Cusack first appeared in Division Meath in the early part of the kingdom of Brega, situated in Eastern Ireland, in the district of Leinster, where Jeoffrey Le Cusack was first listed. He was named after a town in France of the same name and came to Ireland shortly after the English conquest. Adam Cusack, his grandson “slew William Barret and his brothers in Connaught, on the situation of a conflict about estates” in 1282. Another story has a partly different twist on the origin in France. In this connection, the name was acquired from an area in Guienne, France, and first anglicized as de Cussac. However, whichever source is true, the existence of the name in England is limited.

The very first recording spelling of the family was shown to be that of Andre de Cusack, who came to Ireland with King John, which was dated 1211, in the “old Registers of the Pale.” It was during the time of King John, who was known to be the “Lackland,” 1199 – 1216.

United States of America:

Some of the people with the name Cusack who settled in the United States in the 19th century included Christopher Cusack who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1830. Edward Cusack, who arrived in New York in 1847. Betsey Cusack landed in Boston Massachusetts in 1849. William Cusack, who settled in Mobile Country, Ala in 1851. Peter Cusack came to Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1856.

Canada:

Some of the people with the name Cusack who settled in the Canada in the 19th century included John Cusack was a businessperson of St. John’s, Newfoundland in 1827. Pat Cusack shifted in Canada in 1839. James Cusack settled in Canada in 1849. Michael Cusack moved to Canada in 1850. John Cusack arrived in Great St. Lawrence in 1871.

Australia:

Some of the people with the name Cusack who settled in the Australia in the 19th century included Honora Cusack at the age of 30 and Margaret Cusack at the age of 20, who was a home slave, both arrived in South Australia in the same year in 1854 aboard the ship “Fortune.” Rose Cusack at the age of 23 settled in South Australia in 1855 aboard the ship “Velocity.” Andrew Cusack at the age of 23 arrived in South Australia in 1857 aboard the ship “Royal Albert.”

Here is the population distribution of the last name Cusack: United States 4,949; England 1,850; Ireland 2,222; Northern Ireland 215; Australia 2,236; Scotland 177; Canada 723; South Africa 219; Germany 202; New Zealand 168.

Notable People:

Alex Cusack was an Australian-born cricket player.

Ann Cusack was an American performer and daughter of Dick Cusack.

Catherine Cusack was an Irish artist and daughter of Cyril Cusack.

Catherine Cusack was an Australian leader.

Cyril Cusack was an Irish artist.

Dick Cusack was an American actor and film producer.

Dymphna Cusack was an Australian author.

Joan Cusack was an American entertainer and daughter of Dick Cusack

John Cusack was an American actor, author, and son of Dick Cusack.

John Cusack was an Australian leader.

Joyce Cusack was an American congressman.

Mary Frances Cusack was a famous Irish author.

Blazons & Genealogy Notes

1) Notes: (Killeen, Gerrardstown, Lismullen, and Clonard, co. Meath). Mottoes—“Ave Maria, plena gratia!” and “En Dieu est mon espoir.” Blazon: Per pale or and az. a fesse counterchanged, quartering Golding, St. Laurence, Beaufort, Holland, and Plantagenet. Crest—A mermaid sa. holding in the dexter hand a sword, and in the sinister a sceptre ppr.
2) Notes: None. Blazon: Per pale ar. and sa. a fesse counterchanged.