McCarthy is an Irish surname, the Anglicized form of the Irish Mac Cárthaigh, meaning "son of Carthach". The personal name Carthach derives from the Irish word meaning "loving" and was borne by two early Irish saints from the 6th and 7th centuries. History and Prominence The McCarthy family was historically one of the most powerful and prominent Gaelic Irish dynasties. Originating in the Kingdom of Desmond (modern-day County Cork and Kerry), the MacCarthy Mór (Great MacCarthy) were Kings of Desmond from the 12th to the 17th centuries. The name is one of the few Irish surnames that retained the prefix "Mac" after the Anglicization period, reflecting its deep-seated nobility. Many notable bearers have carried the name, including American journalist and author Mary McCarthy, U.S. Senator Joseph McCarthy (who gave his name to "McCarthyism"), and musician Robbie McCarthy. Variants and Distribution Variants include Mac Cárthaigh (original Irish form), MacCarthy, and abbreviations such as McCarty. It remains common in Ireland, especially in County Cork, and among the Irish diaspora in the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Places and Derived Names The surname has also given rise to place names, such as McCarthy, Alaska, a census-designated place. Derived terms like "McCarthyism" entered the English language during the Red Scare of the 1950s, referring to the practice of making accusations without proper evidence. Meaning: Son of Carthach ("loving") Origin: Irish Gaelic Type: Patronymic surname Usage Regions: Ireland, United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia