Carmody

Etymology & Origin

Carmody is a surname of Irish origin, anglicized from the Gaelic Ó Cearmada, meaning "descendant of Cearmaid." The personal name Cearmaid is thought to be derived from ceard meaning "craftsman" or "artisan." The surname is most commonly found in County Kerry and County Cork in southwestern Ireland, where the Ó Cearmada sept was historically prominent.

Notable Bearers

The name has been carried by many notable individuals across various fields. Alan Carmody (1920–1978) was an Australian public servant; Art Carmody (born 1984) was a standout American college football kicker; and Bill Carmody (born 1951) coached college basketball at Northwestern and Holy Cross. In the arts, Isobelle Carmody (born 1958) is an acclaimed Australian author of science fiction and fantasy, best known for Obernewtyn series, while Kev Carmody (born 1946) is an influential Indigenous Australian singer-songwriter and activist. The name is also seen in religious leadership with Edmond Carmody (born 1934), Irish-born American bishop of Corpus Christi, and in the judiciary with figures such as David W. Carmody and John Carmody.

Distribution & variants

Primarily found in Ireland and the diaspora (especially the United States, Australia, and Canada), the surname has few variations, with the direct Irish form Ó Cearmada being the principal cognate.

• Meaning: "descendant of Cearmaid"
• Origin: Irish Gaelic
• Type: surname
• Usage regions: Ireland, United States, Australia, Canada