Surname McCarty - Meaning and Origin
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Tracing McCarty Roots: My DNA Analysis Experience with iGENEA
Embarking on a transformative journey to discover the origins of my family name McCarty with iGENEA's DNA analysis, I uncovered a lineage traced back to ancient Celt tribes, deepening my appreciation for my genetic heritage, and consolidating the bond with my distant ancestors and rich past.
X. McCarty
read moreMcCarty: What does the surname McCarty mean?
The surname McCarty is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Carthaigh," meaning "son of Carthach." Carthach is an old Irish name that means "loving" or "affectionate." This surname was first found in County Kerry, south-western Ireland, where the family held a family seat from ancient times. The McCarty surname has various spelling variations including McCarthy, MacCarthy, MacCarty, and others. During Ireland's history, it was common for name spellings to change due to anglicization by the British. Even now, the surname is prevalent in the Munster region of Ireland, especially in counties Kerry and Cork. The use of "Mc" or "Mac" before a name usually denotes Irish or Scottish descent. The family is historically significant, with two main branches: MacCarthy Mor (the greater) and MacCarthy Reagh (the lesser) who were powerful lords in the region.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCarty: Where does the name McCarty come from?
The last name McCarty originated from Ireland, from the Irish language nickname "Mac Carthaigh." This Gaelic surname translates to "son of Carthach," with Carthach itself meaning "loving." During the late Middle Ages, the McCartys were a powerful clan known as the Princes of Desmond. Some McCartys migrated to America, particularly during the period of the Great Famine in the mid-19th century. Today, the surname McCarty is most commonly found in the United States, with a significant presence in Ireland as well. In the United States, the highest concentrations of the McCarty surname are primarily in the Midwest and the South, particularly in the states of Ohio, Illinois, and Texas.
Variations of the surname McCarty
The surname McCarty has its roots in Irish heritage, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Carthaigh," meaning "son of Carthach," where "Carthach" is a personal name that means "loving." The original Gaelic form of the name is often seen as MacCarthy or Macarthy.
Variations in spelling can occur due to phonetic translations when the family moved to English-speaking countries. Therefore, the surname McCarty has various forms which have evolved over time such as: McCarthy, Mccarthick, Macarthy, Mccarthy, MacCarty, MacArty, MacArthy, and McArthy.
Regional or dialect differences in Ireland also contributed to the creation of different spellings for the same surname. For instance, MacCarty is more common in the province of Munster, while MacArthy is often seen in the province of Kerry.
With regards to surnames of the same origin, other families descending from Carthach may have adopted different surnames, such as Carthy or Carty. There can also be surnames which are anglicized differently such as Carthay or Carthey.
Ongoing emigration has led to even more variations in countries outside Ireland as well, which contributes to the diversity of this surname.
Famous people with the name McCarty
- Linda McCartney: She was an American musician, photographer, and animal rights activist. She was the first wife of Beatles' member, Paul McCartney.
- Paul McCartney: The world-renowned English singer-songwriter and composer, most popular as a member of the legendary rock band, The Beatles.
- Jesse McCartney: An American actor, singer, and songwriter known for his pop songs and his appearance in shows like "Summerland" and "Greek".
- Stella McCartney: A prominent British fashion designer and the daughter of Paul and Linda McCartney.
- Darren McCarty: A former professional ice hockey player from Canada who played almost his entire NHL career for the Detroit Red Wings.
- Kid McCoy, whose real name was Norman Selby, was a famous professional boxer.
- Mary McCartney: An accomplished British photographer and vegetarian cookery writer. She is also a daughter of Paul and Linda McCartney.
- James McCartney: A British musician and songwriter, and the only son of Paul and Linda McCartney.
- Cathy McCartney: An American former professional track and road racing cyclist.
- Mike McCartney: An English photographer and musician, and the younger brother of Paul McCartney. Please note that some people listed here spell their last name "McCartney," while others spell it "McCarty."