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Carroll History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

Carroll History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

The name Carroll has undergone many variations in the time that has passed since its genesis. In Gaelic it appeared as Cearbhaill, which is derived from the name of Cearbhal, the Lord of Ely who helped King Brian Boru lead the Irish to victory over the Danes at the Battle of Clontarf in 1014. Donnchad Ua Cerbaill or Donnchadh Ó Cearbhaill was King of Airgíalla, fl. c. 1130-1168. Maol Ruanaidh Cam Ó Cearbhaill, sometimes Anglicized as Cam O'Kayrwill (died 10 June 1329) was a notable Irish harpist and player of the tiompan who was murdered with many others at the Braganstown Massacre.

Early Origins of the Carroll family

The surname Carroll was first found in counties Tipperary, Offaly, Monaghan and Louth. Through their connection with Cearbal, they descend from King Oilioll Olum.

There were six distinct O'Carroll septs prior to the Anglo-Norman Conquest. While four disintegrated before the end of the 13th century, the two most important septs continued. These were O'Carroll of Ely O'Carroll, from the counties of Tipperary and Offaly, and O'Carroll of Oriel, from the counties of Monagan and Louth.

While the Oriel O'Carrolls disappeared as an official sept resulting from the Anglo-Norman Conquest, the members of that sept were not scattered, but remained mainly within their ancient territories. However, the O'Carrolls of Ely O'Carroll managed to maintain their independence and heritage until the end of the 16th century, and continued to play an important role in Irish history.

They formerly held large territories in the county of Tipperary, but were confined to the area around Birr in the county of Offaly by the rise of the powerful Norman Butlers.

Early History of the Carroll family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Carroll research. Another 200 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1014, 1172, 1451, 1600, 1602, 1625, 1661, 1673, 1711, 1720, 1735, 1737, 1789, 1792, 1815, 1832 and 1916 are included under the topic Early Carroll History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Carroll Spelling Variations

Official documents, crafted by early scribes and church officials, primarily contained names that were spelled according to their pronunciation. This lead to the problem of one name being recorded under several different variations, creating an illusion that a single person was many people. Among the many spelling variations of the surname Carroll that are preserved in the archival documents of the time are O'Carroll, Carroll, Carrel, Carrell, Carrill, Carrol, Carroll, Caryll, Garvil, Garvill and many more.

Early Notables of the Carroll family

Notable amongst the family name at this time was

Charles Carroll (1661-1720), often called Charles Carroll the Settler, to differentiate him from his son and grandson, was a wealthy lawyer and planter in colonial Maryland
Most Rev. John Carroll (1735-1815), was the first Catholic bishop in the USA; and Charles Carroll (1737-1832), of Carrollton signed the American Declaration of Independence. He was born in Annapolis...

Carroll World Ranking

In the United States, the name Carroll is the 176^th most popular surname with an estimated 136,785 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name Carroll is ranked the 530^th most popular surname with an estimated 9,257 people with that name. 2 And in Newfoundland, Canada, the name Carroll is the 236^th popular surname with an estimated 187 people with that name. 3 Australia ranks Carroll as 173^rd with 18,007 people. 4 New Zealand ranks Carroll as 356^th with 1,802 people. 5 The United Kingdom ranks Carroll as 316^th with 19,378 people. 6

Carroll migration to the United States +

North America accepted thousands of Irish immigrants during the 19th century as their homeland suffered under foreign imperialistic rule. Although settlers from the early portion of the century came to North America by choice in search of land, by far the largest influx of Irish immigrants came to North America during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. Many of these Irish families left the country destitute and in some cases suffering from disease. However, those who survived the long ocean voyage were especially vital to the development of industry in the United States and what would become known as Canada. Research of immigration and passenger lists has shown many early immigrants bearing the name Carroll:

Carroll Settlers in United States in the 17th Century

Christopher Carroll, who arrived in Maryland in 1638 7
George Carroll, who landed in Maryland in 1672 7
Charles Carroll, who arrived in Maryland in 1688 7

Carroll Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Carroll, who landed in Virginia in 1701 7
Jacob Carroll, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 7
Anne Carroll, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 7
Anthony Carroll, who arrived in New York in 1798 7

Carroll Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Danl Carroll, aged 20, who arrived in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1803 7
Ric Carroll, aged 22, who landed in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1803 7
Elizth Carroll, who landed in America in 1804 7
Edward Carroll, who landed in America in 1806 7
John S Carroll, aged 31, who landed in New York in 1812 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Carroll migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Carroll Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John Carroll who settled in Nova Scotia in 1776
John Carroll, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1776
Patrick Carroll, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1776
Robert Carroll, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1776
Mr. Joseph Carroll U.E. who settled in Canada c. 1783 8

Carroll Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

John Carroll, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1818
Peter Carroll, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1827
Ellen Carroll, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1831
Margaret Carroll, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1833
Peter Carroll, aged 25, a labourer, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1833 aboard the brig "Dorcas Savage" from Belfast, Ireland
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Carroll migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Carroll Settlers in Australia in the 18th Century

Mr. Patrick Carroll, (Carter, Carpenter), (b. 1860), aged -67, Irish convict who was convicted in Dundalk, County Louth, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Boddingtons" on 15th February 1793, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9

Carroll Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

Mr. Laurance Carroll, Irish convict who was convicted in Dundalk, Ireland for life, transported aboard the "Atlas" on 29th November 1801, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. Patrick Carroll, Irish convict who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Boyd" on 10th March 1809, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Miss Ann Carroll, (b. 1763), aged 50, Irish convict who was convicted in Armagh, Ireland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Catherine" on 8th December 1813, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 12
Mrs. Mary Carroll, (b. 1783), aged 35, Irish convict who was convicted in Ireland for 7 years for larceny, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 26th July 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she is listed as having 2 children with her 13
Miss Mary Carroll, (b. 1766), aged 52, Irish servant who was convicted in Dublin, Ireland for 14 years for possession of forged bank notes, transported aboard the "Elizabeth" on 26th July 1818, arriving in New South Wales, Australia, she is listed as having 1 child with her 13
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Carroll migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Carroll Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. David Carroll, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston aboard the ship "Spray" arriving in New Zealand in 1851 14
Miss Elizabeth Carroll, (b. 1812), aged 46, British dressmaker travelling from Gravesend aboard the ship "Maori" arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand on 14th April 1858 15
John Carroll, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Golconda" in 1859
Julia Carroll, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Golconda" in 1859
Eliza Carroll, who arrived in Nelson, New Zealand aboard the ship "Golconda" in 1859
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name Carroll (post 1700) +

Lewis Carroll (1832-1898), pen name of Charles Lutwidge Dodgson, English author ("Alice's Adventures in Wonderland"), mathematician, and photographer
Patricia Ann "Pat" Carroll (1927-2022), American Emmy, Drama Desk, and Grammy Award winning actress and comedian, known for voicing Ursula in The Little Mermaid and her roles in CBS's The Danny Thomas Show, ABC's Laverne & Shirley, and NBC's ER
Julian Morton Carroll (1931-2023), American lawyer and politician, 54th Governor of Kentucky from 1974 to 1979, Member of the Kentucky Senate (2005-2021)
John L. Carroll (1943-2023), American jurist and academic administrator, Magistrate Judge of the U.S. District Court for the Middle District of Alabama (1986-2001), Dean of the Cumberland School of Law in Homewood, Alabama, from 2001 to 2014
John Stanley Carroll (1929-2021), American lawyer and politician who served as a state representative and state senator from Hawaii as a Republican
Eleanor Darnall Carroll (1703-1796), née Darnall, American wealthy heiress in colonial Maryland, mother of Daniel Carroll, one of the Founding Fathers of the United States
Diahann Carroll (1935-2019), Academy Award-nominated and Tony award winning American actress and singer
Andrew Carroll (1985-2018), American professional ice hockey player who died from a fall at O'Hare Airport a the age of 32
Barbara Carroll (1925-2017), born Barbara Carole Coppersmith, an American jazz pianist
George Carroll (1922-2016), American lawyer and politician, the first African American elected to the city council (1961-1964), the first black judge in Contra Costa, California in 1965
... (Another 24 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the Carroll family +

Empress of Ireland

Mr. John Carroll, British Seaman from United Kingdom who worked aboard the Empress of Ireland (1914) and survived the sinking 16

Halifax Explosion

Master Gerald Carroll (1910-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
Miss Lily Elizabeth Carroll (1911-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
Miss Doris Carroll (1912-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
Mrs. Julia Carroll, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
Mr. Arthur S. Carroll (1887-1917), Canadian resident from Carroll's Corner, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 17
... (Another 1 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. William Peter Carroll (1912-1942), English Petty Officer from Devon, England, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales and survived the sinking, later died on the HMS Hermes in 1942 18

RMS Lusitania

Mr. Thomas Carroll, English Leading Fireman from England, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and survived the sinking 19

Senghenydd colliery

Mr. Dennis Carroll (b. 1884), Welsh coal miner from Abertridwr, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died
Mr. Timothy Carroll (b. 1878), Welsh coal miner from Abertridwr, Caerphilly, Wales who was working at the Senghenydd colliery when there was an explosion on the 14th October 1913; he died

SS Atlantic

Mr. Joseph Carroll, British crew member who was aboard the ship "SS Atlantic" when it struck rocks off Nova Scotia in 1873, survived the sinking

SS Newfoundland

Mr. Fred Carroll (1870-1914), Newfoundlander from Bonavista, who on the 30th March 1914 he was part of the Seal Crew of the "SS Newfoundland" leaving the ship to intercept the Stephano which took him to the hunting grounds, he disembarked to begin sealing, but was caught in a thickening storm, attempting to return to the Newfoundland he and the 132 crew made camp for two days the sealers were stranded on the ice in a blizzard attempting to return to the ship, he died during this time

SS Southern Cross

Mr. Walter Carroll (1895-1914), Newfoundlander from Outer Cove who was aboard the "SS Southern Cross" when it is suspected she sank between the 31st March 1914 and early April during the storm with a heavy load of pelts; no survivors were ever found

USS Arizona

Mr. Robert Lewis Carroll, American Seaman First Class from North Carolina, USA working aboard the ship "USS Arizona" when she sunk during the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on 7th December 1941, he died in the sinking 20

The Carroll 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: In Fide et in Bello Fortis
Motto Translation: Strong in both faith and war.

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
The order of Common Surnames in 1955 in Newfoundland retrieved on 20th October 2021 (retrieved from Family Names of the Island of Newfoundland by E.R. Seary corrected edition ISBN 0-7735-1782-0)
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 25th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/boddingtons
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 14th July 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/atlas
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 27th October 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/Boyd
Convict Records of Australia (Retreived 2nd January 2021, retreived from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/catherine
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd March 2022). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/elizabeth
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 26th March 2019). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
Commemoration Empress of Ireland 2014. (Retrieved 2014, June 17) . Retrieved from http://www.empress2014.ca/seclangen/listepsc1.html
Halifax Explosion Book of Remembrance | Maritime Museum of the Atlantic. (Retrieved 2014, June 23) . Retrieved from https://maritimemuseum.novascotia.ca/what-see-do/halifax-explosion/halifax-explosion-book-remembrance
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 6) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Pearl Harbour: USS Arizona Casualties List Pearl Harbour December 7, 1941. (Retrieved 2018, July 31st). Retrieved from http://pearl-harbor.com/arizona/casualtylist.html