McCarthy surname: meaning and origin
McCarthy means son of Cárthach, a name meaning loving. It is a native Gaelic Irish family from Cork and Kerry (Desmond).
| Irish form | Mac Cárthaigh |
|---|---|
| Meaning | son of Cárthach, a name meaning loving |
| Home region | Cork and Kerry (Desmond) (Munster) |
| Origin | Gaelic |
| Variants | MacCarthy, McCarty |
History of the McCarthy name
The McCarthys were kings of Desmond, in south-west Munster, and built Blarney Castle in the fifteenth century.
More surnames from Munster
- Barryde Barra · from Barry
- O'BrienÓ Briain · descendant of Brian
- CahillÓ Cathail · descendant of Cathal
- O'CallaghanÓ Ceallacháin · descendant of Ceallachán
- CaseyÓ Cathasaigh · descendant of Cathasach
- CollinsÓ Coileáin · descendant of Coileán
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname McCarthy mean?
McCarthy (Irish: Mac Cárthaigh) means son of Cárthach, a name meaning loving.
What is the Irish spelling of McCarthy?
The Irish-language form of McCarthy is Mac Cárthaigh.
Where is the surname McCarthy from?
McCarthy is a native Gaelic Irish family, associated with Cork and Kerry (Desmond) in Munster.
What are other spellings of McCarthy?
Related spellings and forms include MacCarthy, McCarty.