MCCARTHY
Recorded variant spellings include Mc Carthy, Mc'Carthy, Mc'carthy, Mccarthy
Origin and Meaning
The surname McCarthy is of Gaelic Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Carthaigh, meaning son of Carthach. The personal name Carthach itself is built from the word carth, which translates as loving. The prefix Mac indicates descent from a father, placing the name firmly within the tradition of patronymic surnames that are common throughout the British Isles.
Historical Context
Within the province of Munster the McCarthy clan rose to prominence as a powerful and influential family. The clan claims descent from the 3rd‑century King of Munster, Oilioll Olum, and the earliest recognisable nameholder was probably Carthach, Lord of Eoghannacht, who died in 1045. These early figures provide a tangible link between the surname and the long‑held political authority of the region.
Territorial Significance and Nickname Theory
Historical records show that the clan was notorious for its territorial disputes with neighbouring families. Some scholars suggest that the element Carthach may have been a nickname, perhaps used with irony, reflecting an affectionate yet formidable reputation. The clan’s influence extended through the barony of Carbery in West Cork, where Fineen Mac Carthy Reagh served as chief in 1572 and is associated with the renowned Blarney Castle, from which the word blarney is said to have originated.
Notable Figures and Imperial Connections
In the late 17th century, Justin MacCarthy was created Earl of Mountcashell by King James I in 1688. He subsequently commanded the Irish Brigade in the French army, where he was killed in 1694. These events illustrate the clan’s involvement in broader European military affairs and its ability to wield influence beyond the borders of Ireland.
Present Distribution
Today the surname remains most common in County Cork, where the majority of the roughly thirty thousand members of the clan still reside. Variants such as Mccarty and MacCarhty are particularly frequent in County Wexford, situated in the south‑east of Ireland. The persistence of the surname in these locales underscores the enduring legacy of the clan’s original territories.
Heraldic Arms
According to the clan’s traditional coat of arms, the field is silver and charged with a red stag in a trippant position. The stag bears gold antlers and hooves, symbolising loyalty and swift action, attributes that the heraldry claims reward for the bearers of the name.
Typical given names associated with the McCarthy surname
Male
- Daniel
- David
- James
- John
- Kevin
- Michael
- Patrick
- Paul
- Peter
- Thomas
Female
- Catherine
- Claire
- Elizabeth
- Helen
- Julie
- Karen
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Susan
Similar and related surnames
- Macarthy
- Macarthey
- Mccarth
- Mccartha
- Maccarter
- Maccarthey
- Maccarthy
- Maccarty
- Mackareth
- Mackarty
- Macurthy
- Mcarthey
- Mcarthy
- Mccart
- Mccartan
- Mccarte
- Mccarten
- Mccarter
- Mccartey
- Mccarther
- Mccarthey
- Mccarthney
- Mccarthur
- Mccartie
- Mccartin
- Mccartly
- Mccartney
- Mccartny
- Mccarton
- Mccarty
- Mccathy
- Mcccarthy
- Mccoart
- Mccort
- Mccourt
- Mccrath
- Mccurty
- Mcgrathy
- Mckarty
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname McCarthy in...
Braille
⠍⠉⠉⠁⠗⠞⠓⠽
Morse
---.-.-.-..-.-.-....-.--
Semaphore
Did you know?
According to a survey carried out by Democracy Club, politicians and candidates with the surname McCarthy are most likely to say that their favourite biscuit is a Chocolate Digestive.
There are approximately 31,561 people named McCarthy in the UK. That makes it the 250th most common surname in Britain. Around 485 in a million people in Britain are named McCarthy.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Ireland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Famous people named McCarthy
- Jenny McCarthy - American model, comedian, actress, author, activist, and game show host
- James McCarthy - Irish football player
- Melissa McCarthy - American actress and comedian
- Perry McCarthy - Racing driver
- Mick McCarthy - Football player and manager
- Alex McCarthy - Football player
- Nick McCarthy - Musician
- Joseph McCarthy - Wisconsin politician (1908 to 1957)
- Cormac McCarthy - American novelist, playwright, and screenwriter
- Neil McCarthy - Actor (1932 to 1985)
- Colm McCarthy - Scottish television director
- Andrew McCarthy - American actor
- Joanne McCarthy - American basketball player
- Tom McCarthy - Writer
- Kerry McCarthy - Politician
- Cavan Spencer Kendall McCarthy - Actor (1942 to 1999)
- Joe McCarthy - Canadian WW2 RAF pilot and Dambuster (1919 to 1998)
- Jason McCarthy - Football player
- Douglas McCarthy - Singer
- Mike McCarthy - Irish rugby union player
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.