Lucas is a name with ancient roots in the personal name Luke, carried into Ireland by settler families.
Where does the Lucas name come from?
Lucas comes from the Latin Lucas, the form of the personal name Luke, ultimately meaning "man from Lucania" in southern Italy or associated with the Latin lux, "light." Popular across medieval Christendom because of St Luke the Evangelist, the name spread through Europe and was carried to these islands by the Normans and later settlers. In Ireland it is a settler surname rather than a native Gaelic one, though it has been here for centuries.
Lucas in Ireland
As a settler name, Lucas appears mainly in areas of English influence, in Leinster and the eastern counties, and is recorded in Irish sources from the later medieval and early modern periods. Its numbers have always been modest but well established. Today Lucas is found across Ireland and among the diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia and Britain.
Related Irish family names
Carry the Lucas name with you
From a soft woven blanket to an everyday mug, our Lucas heritage range lets you keep the family name close. Search the Lucas name to see the full collection of gifts and keepsakes.
Frequently asked questions
What does the name Lucas mean?
It comes from the Latin form of Luke, associated with "light" or with the region of Lucania, and spread through Europe in honour of St Luke.
Is Lucas an Irish name?
Lucas is a settler name of Latin and Norman background rather than a native Gaelic one, but it has been carried by Irish families for many centuries.
Is there a Lucas family crest?
Families of the name have heraldic traditions; the crest and tartan artwork on our Lucas products is created as decorative heritage artwork to celebrate the name.
