MCCARTY
Recorded variant spellings include Mc Carty, Mccarty
The surname McCarty is of Irish origin and is recorded as an anglicisation of the Gaelic Mac Cárthaigh, meaning son of Cárthach. The personal name Cárthach is believed to have been derived from the Gaelic word cath, which translates as battle, indicating a possible martial or heroic connotation.
In the larger context of Celtic onomastics, the McCarty family name is associated with the ancient Irish kingdom of Desmond, an area historically situated within the modern counties of Cork and Kerry. The surname is therefore closely linked to the traditional Gaelic structure of patronymic naming whereby a son is identified by the name of his father.
Variations of the surname – such as MacCarhty, McCarthy, MacCarty and McCarty – reflect the process of anglicisation that occurred over many centuries. These spellings are recorded in medieval and early modern documents, with the earliest noted appearance being that of MacCarthy Mor in the year 1172.
Important early bearers of the name include Fineen Mac Carthy Reagh, who served as the chief of the barony of Carbery in West Cork in 1572 and was resident at the well‑known Blarney Castle. He is also credited with coining the term blarney to describe a clever or flattering speech.
In the late 17th and early 18th centuries a prominent member of the clan, Justin MacCarthy, was created Earl of Mountcashell by King James I in 1688. He commanded the Irish Brigade in the French army and was killed in 1694. His military service exemplifies the clan’s long tradition of martial involvement.
The heraldic arms of the clan are characterised by a silver field charged with a red stag in a trippant position, the stag being gold attired and unguled. The imagery of the stag is traditionally interpreted as a symbol of loyalty, speed of action and reward for virtue.
Contemporary demographic evidence shows that the surname bears approximately thirty thousand individuals in Ireland, the majority still inhabiting their ancestral counties of Cork and Kerry. Variants such as Mccarty and MacCarhty are particularly frequent in County Wexford, situated in the south‑east of the island.
Overall, the surname McCarty encapsulates a rich tapestry of Gaelic linguistic heritage, remarkable historical figures and enduring cultural presence within the Irish tradition.
Typical given names associated with the McCarty surname
Male
- Brian
- David
- James
- John
- Mark
- Matthew
- Michael
- Patrick
- Paul
- Peter
- Stephen
- Thomas
Female
- Catherine
- Clare
- Elizabeth
- Faye
- Joanne
- Louisa
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Ruth
- Sarah
- Sheila
- Susan
- Suzanne
Similar and related surnames
- Macaart
- Macairt
- Macart
- Macarte
- Macarty
- Maccarthy
- Maccarty
- Maccourt
- Mackarty
- Mackert
- MacReady
- Mcart
- Mcartin
- Mcarty
- Mccaferty
- Mccaffarty
- Mccafferty
- Mccagherty
- Mccahearty
- Mccard
- Mccardy
- Mccart
- Mccartain
- Mccartan
- Mccarte
- Mccarten
- Mccarter
- Mccartey
- Mccarth
- Mccartha
- Mccarthey
- Mccarthy
- Mccartie
- Mccartin
- Mccartly
- Mccartney
- Mccartny
- Mccarton
- Mcccarthy
- Mcclarty
- Mccoart
- Mccort
- Mccourt
- Mccourtie
- Mccourts
- Mccourty
- McCready
- Mccurtin
- Mccurtis
- Mccurty
- Mcgarty
- McGourty
- Mckarty
Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.
How to communicate the surname McCarty in...
Braille
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Morse
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There are approximately 461 people named McCarty in the UK. That makes it one of Britain's least common surnames. Only around seven in a million people in Britain are named McCarty.
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 McCarty
- Henry McCarty - American cattle rustler, gambler, horse thief, outlaw, cowboy and ranch hand (1859 to 1881)
- Jim McCarty - Musician
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.