Show ContentsMcCarl History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the McCarl family

The surname McCarl was first found in Ayrshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Inbhir Àir), formerly a county in the southwestern Strathclyde region of Scotland, that today makes up the Council Areas of South, East, and North Ayrshire, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say before the Norman Conquest in 1066, and their name in Gaelic was "MacThearlaich" meaning "the son of Charles." Hence we have McTarlych which is the old Gaelic which some Clan members still subscribe to.

Early History of the McCarl family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McCarl research. Another 92 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1538, 1613, 1638, 1674 and 1726 are included under the topic Early McCarl History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCarl Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacCarley, MacCarly, Terleti, Thelycht, MacTherlycht, McKarlich, McTarlach, McCarlach, McKerlich, McHerlich, McCharles, McTarlich and many more.

Early Notables of the McCarl family

More information is included under the topic Early McCarl Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the McCarl family to Ireland

Some of the McCarl family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


United States McCarl migration to the United States +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McCarl Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Elizabeth McCarl, aged 28, arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Arabic" from Queenstown, Ireland [1]
  • Margaret McCarl, aged 8, arrived in New York in 1907 aboard the ship "Arabic" from Queenstown, Ireland [1]
  • Robert E. McCarl, aged 24, arrived in New York in 1919 aboard the ship "Carib" from Cardiff, Wales [1]
  • John McCarl, aged 23, arrived in New York in 1921 aboard the ship "Oregonian" from Hamburg, Germany [1]

Contemporary Notables of the name McCarl (post 1700) +

  • John Raymond McCarl (1879-1940), American lawyer and politician, 1st Comptroller General of the United States (1921-1936)


The McCarl Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Virtus auget honores
Motto Translation: Virtue increases honour.


  1. Ellis Island Search retrieved 15th November 2022. Retrieved from https://heritage.statueofliberty.org/passenger-result


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