Meaning & History
MacCarthy is an Irish surname, a variant spelling of McCarthy. The name is an Anglicized form of the Irish Gaelic Mac Cárthaigh, meaning “son of Carthach.” The personal name Carthach derives from an Irish word meaning “loving.”
The McCarthy clan is one of the most prominent and historically significant families in Ireland, tracing their lineage back to Carthach, a 12th-century King of Eóganacht Chaisil, a region in County Cork. The name has been borne by numerous notable figures, including the Irish political leader Florence McCarthy, and has spread to many English-speaking countries through emigration, particularly during the Great Famine. While McCarthy is the more common spelling, MacCarthy appears in many historical records and among those who wish to emphasize the original Irish form.
MacCarthy remains a widely recognized surname, especially in Ireland and the United States. Its meaning—”son of the loving one”—ties it to a long and storied heritage rooted in Irish history and identity.
- Meaning: Son of Carthach (meaning “loving”)
- Origin: Irish (Gaeilge Mac Cárthaigh)
- Usage: Surname
- Regions: Predominantly Ireland, with diaspora in the United States, United Kingdom, and other former British colonies