Surname · Irish origin
McCarthy
Meaning
The surname McCarthy means Son of Cárthach.
Origin
Irish
Type
patronymic
Variants
1
The origin of the surname McCarthy
McCarthy comes from Mac Cárthaigh, “son of the loving one.”
What kind of surname is McCarthy?
McCarthy is a patronymic surname, derived from a father's or ancestor's given name. It belongs to the Irish naming tradition — you can read how Irish surnames were formed on our Irish last names page.
Variants & spellings of McCarthy
You may also see this surname written as:
- MacCarthy
Other Irish surnames
Other patronymic surnames
Family names formed the same way, from different cultures.
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname McCarthy mean?
The surname McCarthy means Son of Cárthach. McCarthy comes from Mac Cárthaigh, “son of the loving one.”
Where does the surname McCarthy come from?
McCarthy is a surname of Irish origin.
What kind of surname is McCarthy?
McCarthy is a patronymic surname, derived from a father's or ancestor's given name.
What are other spellings of McCarthy?
Variant spellings of McCarthy include MacCarthy.
What are other Irish surnames?
Other Irish surnames include Boyle, Brennan, Byrne, Callaghan, Connolly, Daly.