Surname McCary - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McCary: What does the surname McCary mean?
The surname McCary is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic Mac Fhearadhaigh, which means "son of Fearthach". The name Fearthach is composed of two elements - "fear" which means "man", and "tach" which signifies "like, love, willingness". So it could be interpreted as "man of willingness" or "man of love". Hence, the McCary surname presents a notion of descent from a beloved or willing man. Like many Irish surnames, the prefix 'Mac' signifies 'son of', indicating ancestral lineage. It's important to note that due to regional variations in Irish language and subsequent anglicization, the surname may have multiple spellings such as Mac Carthaigh or McCarthy.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCary: Where does the name McCary come from?
The surname McCary is of Irish origin. It is believed to be an Anglicization of the Gaelic name “Mac Fhearaigh”, which means 'son of Fearach'. This is a personal name latest researchers assumed to be derived from "fear", meaning man, or "fearach", meaning land or territory.
The McCary surname's introduction to other countries was largely due to Irish immigration throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Ireland's population experienced a significant depletion during the mid-19th century due to famine and subsequent emigration en masse. As a result, many of these immigrants, including likely carriers of the McCary surname, settled in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, among others.
Today, the McCary surname is most common in the United States, according to the distribution of the surname worldwide. Specifically, it is prevalent in the Southern United States, which saw a significant influx of Irish immigrants during the aforementioned period. Outside of the United States, the surname can still be found in Ireland, as well as in the other countries where Irish emigrants settled, albeit in fewer numbers.
Variations of the surname McCary
The surname McCary originates from Ireland, specifically from the Gaelic Mac Fhearadhaigh, which translates as the "son of the brave." The name itself has been Anglicized into different variants, but they all broadly trace back to the same Gaelic root.
Common variants and spellings of McCary include McCarey, MacCary, McCarry, MacCarry, and even Cary in some instances. This is due to different historical processes of transcription and translation, as well as regional dialect influences.
However, it's important to note that spellings such as MacCarthy, McCarthy or McCarty, while superficially similar, are not derived from the same Gaelic root and hence are not directly related to McCary.
Irish surnames often include the O’ or Mc/Mac prefix, signifying "descendent of" or "son of," respectively. Hence, surnames including these prefixes may be considered surnames of similar origin to McCary, such as O’Carey, MacCarey or McAreavey.
Due to the variety of historical and regional influences on surnames, it's always advisable to refer to genealogical resources when tracing the lineage of specific family names. The family crest, motto, or place of origin can also offer useful clues towards tracing surname origins and variants.
Famous people with the name McCary
- Michael McCary: A singer, songwriter, bassist, and actor, McCary was a founding member of R&B/pop group Boyz II Men.
- Chad McCary: An actor and veteran of improvisational comedy, McCary has appeared on Late Night with David Letterman, Late Night with Conan O'Brien, and Nick Cannon's Wild 'n Out.
- Skyler McCary: An actor and producer, McCary most has written and produced a number of films, including the feature drama All American Zombie Drugs.
- Caleb McCary: A member of the country-rock band LoCash Cowboys, McCary is also an actor and stuntman.
- Lloyd McCary: An actor best known for his work on the crime drama "Rizzoli & Isles," McCary has also had roles in the films "Dark Tide" and "Lift."
- Catelynn McCary: An actress popular for her roles in the TV series "The Normal Heart" and the movie "The Big Wedding."
- Steven McCary: A singer and actor who has appeared in TV movies such as "Love Bites," "Mother Knows Best," and "Walking with Dinosaurs."
- Larry McCary: An actor and voice-over artist with credits in shows such as "Rude Awakening," "K Street," and "The Suite Life of Zack & Cody."
- Casey McCary: An actor and stand-up comic, McCary is perhaps best known for his appearances on "Conan" and "The Late Late Show with Craig Ferguson."
- Tom McCary: A weed expert and television personality, McCary has appeared on MTV, The History Channel, and other networks.