McCrory

McCrory is an Irish and Scottish surname that was anglicized from the Gaelic Mac Ruaidhrí, meaning “son of Ruaidhrí.” The personal name Ruaidhrí derives from Old Irish elements rúad (“red”) and rí (“king”), thus signifying “red king.” This was the name of the last high king of Ireland, Ruaidhrí Ua Conchobair (Rory O’Connor), who reigned in the 12th century.

Etymology and Variants

The surname McCrory belongs to a class of Irish patronymic names formed with Mac (“son of”). Numerous anglicized variants exist, including McCreery, McGrory, McRorie, and McRury. In Scottish Gaelic, the name appears as MacRuaraidh. A related Scottish Anglicization is MacGrory, while McCreery is also common in Scotland.

Distribution and Statistics

According to the 2010 U.S. Census, McCrory ranked 6,040th in frequency among U.S. surnames, with 5,689 bearers. It is most prevalent among White (84.53%) and Black or African American (12.55%) populations. The name also appears as a place name, notably McCrory, Arkansas, a city in Woodruff County.

Notable Bearers

The surname McCrory has been borne by various notable individuals across different fields, lending the name a modest recognition. While specific notable bearers are not detailed in the provided sources, the name’s lineage traces back to the powerful Uí Briúin and Connacht dynasties linked to the name Ruaidhrí.

Cultural and Historical Significance

The root name Ruaidhrí illuminates a significant figure in medieval Irish history: Ruaidhrí Ua Conchobair, High King of Ireland in the 12th century. Thus, the McCrory surname, while modestly ranked, bears a connection to this royal heritage, symbolizing the fusion of Gaelic patronymic traditions with English orthographic conventions through Anglicization.

• Meaning: “son of the red king”
• Origin: Irish, Scottish
• Type: Surname (patronymic)
• Usage regions: Ireland, Scotland, United States
• Related Gaelic form: Mac Ruaidhrí