CARRICK
The surname Carrick is rooted in the Gaelic word carraig, which translates directly to “rock” or “rocky place.” Its etymology reflects a common practice in the British Isles whereby surnames derived from prominent physical features near a person’s home.
Historically, Carrick arose as a locational surname, originally designating individuals who resided near a conspicuous rock formation or on a rocky hill. The name is most closely associated with the district of Carrick in south Ayrshire, a region characterised by its rugged coastline and prominent headlands that inspired its designation.
The earliest recorded instances of the surname date back to the early twelfth century. In 1224, a Duncan Karryc is noted as a witness to a charter signed by the Earl of Lennox during the reign of King Alexander II. Subsequent references appear in documents from 1260, where a Sir Rolland de Karryk served as a chief juror, and in 1296, when Hector de Carrike married the daughter of Samuel Mackan, chief of the MacKan clan.
During the medieval period, bearers of the name Carrick held positions of knightly and administrative importance. Notable individuals include John of Carryk, Secretary to King David II in 1335, and another John Carryk who acted as an envoy to King Edward I of England in 1360, later becoming a canon at Glasgow in 1372. These records illustrate the surname’s prominence in Scottish governance and diplomacy.
In Ireland, the name is found chiefly in the provinces of Ulster and Connacht, often under the variant Mac Carrick. The usage in these regions indicates a Gaelic adaptation of the same root, signifying a connection to rocky landscapes that are common throughout the Irish countryside.
Over the centuries, the spelling of the surname has varied considerably. Contemporary records reveal forms such as Carreck, Carrik, Carik, and even Kerrick. These variations arise from the phonetic spelling practices of medieval scribes and the natural linguistic shifts that occurred as the name moved between regions and languages.
Today, the surname Carrick is relatively uncommon in its country of origin but can be found across the English‑speaking world, particularly within communities of the Irish and Scottish diaspora. While its frequency has declined, individuals who have carried the name have continued to achieve distinction in a variety of fields, maintaining the name’s recognition on a global scale.
Typical given names associated with the Carrick surname
Male
- Alan
- Andrew
- David
- James
- John
- Michael
- Paul
- Peter
- Richard
- Robert
- Thomas
Female
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Emma
- Helen
- Jane
- Jean
- Julie
- Margaret
- Marie
- Mary
- Nicola
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Cardrick
- Caric
- Carick
- Carig
- Carikas
- Cariuk
- Carrack
- Carreck
- Carri
- Carric
- Carrican
- Carrich
- Carricker
- Carrico
- Carrie
- Carriek
- Carries
- Carrig
- Carrigg
- Carris
- Carriss
- Carrivick
- Carrock
- Cartrick
- Carwick
- Caryk
- Corbrick
- Coric
- Corica
- Corrick
- Crack
- Cragg
- Craig
- Crake
- Creagh
- Creak
- Creek
- Crick
- Curic
- Currick
- Garg
- Garrick
- Gregg
- Grigg
- Karic
- Karicka
- Karik
- Karika
- Kariko
- Keric
- Kerrick
- Kuric
- Kyriacou
- Quirk
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname Carrick in...
Braille
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Morse
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There are approximately 3,207 people named Carrick in the UK. That makes it roughly the 2,833rd most common surname in Britain. Around 49 in a million people in Britain are named Carrick.
Surname type: From given name or forename
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named Carrick
- Michael Carrick - Football player
- Dale Carrick - Football player
- Phil Carrick - Cricketer (1952 to 2000)
- Edward Carrick - Art designer, film director and author (1905 to 1998)
- Roger Carrick - Diplomat
- Lewis Carrick - Cricketer
- John Carrick - Scottish-Australian botanist (1914 to 1978)
- Christopher Carrick - Football player (1882 to 1927)
Names and descriptions courtesy of Wikipedia, and may contain errors. This is not intended to be an exhaustive list of every famous person with this name.