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The Irish name MacArt was originally written in a Gaelic form as O'h-Airt, which connotes a descendant of Art. 1
Specifically, the family claim descent through "Art Eanfhear, who is number 81 on the 'Line of Heremon," and son of the Monarch Conn of the Hundred Battles." He was at times called "The Solitary," as he was the only one of his father's sons that survived; his two brothers Conla Ruadh and Crionna, having been slain by their uncles. His grief was so strong that in some writings, he was referred to as "Art, the Melancholy." 2
The name literally means "a bear, a stone; noble, great, generous; hardness." 3
The surname MacArt was first found in County Meath (Irish: An Mhí) anciently part of the kingdom of Brega, located in Eastern Ireland, in the province of Leinster, where they were of the southern Ui Neill. Before the Anglo-Norman invasion of the 12th century, their chiefs were known as the lords of Teffia.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacArt research. Another 117 words (8 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacArt History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The Middle Ages saw a great number of spelling variations for surnames common to the Irish landscape. One reason for these variations is the fact that surnames were not rigidly fixed by this period. The following variations for the name MacArt were encountered in the archives: Hart, O'Hart, Harte, MacArt, McArt, MacCart, McCart and many more.
Another 36 words (3 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacArt Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Death and immigration greatly reduced Ireland's population in the 19th century. For the native Irish people poverty, hunger, and racial prejudice was common. Therefore, thousands left their homeland to seek opportunity in North America. Those who survived the journey and the quarantine camps to which they arrived, were instrumental towards building the strong developing nations of the United States and the future Canada. By far, the largest influx of Irish settlers occurred with Great Potato Famine during the late 1840s. These were employed as construction or factory workers. An examination of passenger and immigration lists has shown early immigrants bearing the name MacArt: Daniel Hart who settled in Virginia in 1640; along with Elizabeth Hart in 1654; Henry Hart in 1637; James Hart in 1653; John Hart in 1635; Mary Hart in 1635.