Surname McCarrick - Meaning and Origin

McCarrick: What does the surname McCarrick mean?

McCarrick is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Carráin" or "Mac Carrig". The prefix "Mac" means "son of" in Gaelic, and "Carráin" or "Carrig" are thought to be derived from the Gaelic word for "rock". Therefore, the last name McCarrick can be roughly translated as "son of the rock" or "rock's son". This may have originally been used as a nickname for a very strong or stubborn person, or it could have referred to someone who lived near a notable rock or rocky area. Over time, it became a hereditary surname passed down through families. As with many Irish names, the spelling was anglicized during the 17th and 18th centuries, resulting in variations such as McCarrick, McCarrik, and McCormick. Today, McCarrick is a fairly common surname, particularly in Ireland and among those of Irish descent.

McCarrick: Where does the name McCarrick come from?

The last name McCarrick is of Irish origin, with 'Mc' signifying 'son of' and 'Carrick' referring to 'rock'. The name likely has its roots in the Gaelic language, specifically from the words "Mac Carrgaich", meaning 'son of the rock'. This surname is an anglicized form of this Gaelic name.

The McCarrick surname originates from the Connacht province, predominantly from the county of Sligo in the west of Ireland. This region is still considered a common place for this surname today.

In modern times, due to emigration patterns especially during the Great Famine in the 19th century, McCarrick has become common not only in Ireland but also among Irish diaspora communities, especially in the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. Despite this dispersion, it remains relatively rare when compared to other Irish surnames.

Variations of the surname McCarrick

The surname McCarrick has Irish origins and is believed to be derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Carrig," which means "son of Carrig." Over the years, it has had numerous variants and spellings due to phonetic transcriptions, language translations, and regional differences.

Some of these variations include MacCarrick, McCarrik, MacCarrik, McCarrack, MacCarrack, and McCarric. The surname also sometimes appears without the 'Mc' or 'Mac' prefix, as in the variants Carrick, Carrik, and Carrig.

An interesting point to note is that 'Mc' and 'Mac' prefixes in Irish surnames were often interchangeable historically, leading to variations in spelling. The 'Mc' and 'Mac' suffixes mean 'son of,' indicating a patriarchal lineage.

These alternate spellings may also be used as forenames in some cases. While examining historical documents, it's crucial to bear in mind these possible variations as names might have been recorded differently by different sources. Despite the variety in spellings, such surnames often refer to the same name line or origin, in this case that being "Mac Carrig".

Surname variations can also be influenced by other factors such as immigration, where names were often altered to fit into the new culture or language.

Famous people with the name McCarrick

• Theodore Edgar McCarrick: Former Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Archdiocese of Washington
• Stephen E. McCarrick: United States Army General
• Brian McCarrick: Retired Major League Baseball Player
• Scott McCarrick: Retired Professional Basketball Player
• John McCarrick: Actor
• Maggey O'Hara McCarrick: Actress
• Matthew McCarrick: Actor
• Roddy McCarrick: Professional Football Player
• Jim McCarrick: Retired American Football Player
• Cathleen McCarrick: Musician and Singer

Other surnames

McCarrig