Surname McCarrell - Meaning and Origin

McCarrell: What does the surname McCarrell mean?

The last name McCarrell originates from the ancient Gaelic-Irish language in the form “Mac Phárthaile”. This surname can also be spelled MacCarroll, MacCarrel, McParrel, MacKarella, MacCarray, and other variations. It has multiple interpretations but is typically translated as meaning “son of Parthalán” or “son of the descendant of Parthalán”.

Parthalán is an old Irish personal name derived from “Partal”, which means “hammer” or “spark”. It was historically the name of a mythological Celtic hero who was believed to have fought alongside the forces of Fionn mac Cumhaill during the war of the Fianna.

The Mac Phárthaile's were primarily a sept of the O’Neill dynasty and were dispersed throughout the areas of Bunnanadden in Northern Ireland, Co. Tyrone, and Co. Armagh. This might explain why variations of the McCarrell surname are still found in these places today.

The McCarrell surname is found primarily in Scotland, Northern Ireland, and other areas of the United Kingdom. It is an old and noble surname, associated with a rich and distinguished history. Today, individuals with the McCarrell surname, or any variation of it, proudly carry on its legacy.

McCarrell: Where does the name McCarrell come from?

The last name McCarrell is most common in North America, particularly the United States and Canada. Today, the highest concentration is found in Ohio, particularly around Enon and Fairborn. Though it is a relatively uncommon last name, it is most prominent in the Midwest and South, specifically Kentucky, Ohio, Tennessee, and Georgia.

In total, there are an estimated 530 people in the US who bear the McCarrell surname. 70% of people who share the last name live in the US, while the other 30% live in Canada. This last name is relatively rare, but it is most concentrated in the central parts of the US.

Tracing back the history of the McCarrell surname shows that it is most likely of Irish and Scottish origin. It was probably used as a patronymic surname derived from a given name, such as MacCarrell, which is derived from the Gaelic plurality for charles, “Carrellach.” The McCarrells were likely part of the Ulster Scots who migrated from Northern Ireland to North America during the eighteenth century.

Today, there are several prominent individuals who carry the last name McCarrell. These include former mayor of Fairborn, Ohio, David McCarrell and former University of Oregon president David Frohnmayer, whose surname was McCarrell before his second marriage.

Variations of the surname McCarrell

The surname McCarrell is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Fhearghail, meaning "son of Fhearghal". This name is commonly found in Northern Ireland and Scotland. Variants of the surname McCarrell include MacFarlane, MacFarland, MacPharland, MacPharlane, Farland, Farlin, McFarlane, McKerrell, and McCarroll.

Spellings of the McCarrell surname can also vary widely. Commonly seen variations include MacFarlane, MacFarland, MacPharland, MacPharlane, Farland, Farlin, McFarlane, McKerrell, McCarroll, and MacCarrell. There is a chance for variations even beyond these spellings, depending on the region of origin or the country of origin where the family hails from.

The surnames MacFarlane and MacFarland and McCarroll are particularly popular in Scotland, while the MacPharland and MacPharlan variants can be seen in Scotland and Ireland. The Farland spelling can be seen in both England and Scotland, and the Farlin variant can be found in both Scotland and Ireland.

The most commonly seen surname in the US is McFarlane, while McKerrell is more commonly found in England. The MacCarrell variant is found more commonly in Ireland than elsewhere.

Overall, it is quite common to find slight spelling differences in the McCarrell surname, as it has been passed down through various generations, and it often changes depending on the country of origin.

Famous people with the name McCarrell

• Michael McCarrell: American actor, best known for his roles in Disney + series Jessie and NCIS: Los Angeles.
• Irene McCarrell: American actress, dancer and singer most famously known for her role in The Truman Show starring Jim Carrey.
• Ryan McCarrell: former United States Navy SEAL and Republican member of the New York State Assembly
• David McCarrell: retired American professional basketball player who played in the NBA and overseas in Spain, Italy, and South Korea.
• Burt McCarrell: an American documentary filmmaker and television producer who won multiple Emmy Awards.
• Robert McCarrell: an American author and biographer who wrote extensively about politicians and key figures in the United States.
• Mark McCarrell: an Emmy-award winning American film and television composer
• Sean McCarrell: an American producer, director, and screenwriter best known for his work on Viacom.
• Thomas McCarrell: an American lawyer and former Attorney General for the State of Colorado.
• Dann McCarrell: an American country vocalist and songwriter who wrote hits for artists like Reba McEntire and Garth Brooks.

Other surnames

McCarren