Contents [hide]

Carroll History Etymology 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 Sources

Carroll History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of Carroll

What does the name Carroll mean?

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

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

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 8
George Carroll, who landed in Maryland in 1672 8
Charles Carroll, who arrived in Maryland in 1688 8

Carroll Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

John Carroll, who landed in Virginia in 1701 8
Jacob Carroll, who landed in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 8
Anne Carroll, who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1746 8
Anthony Carroll, who arrived in New York in 1798 8

Carroll Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Danl Carroll, aged 20, who arrived in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1803 8
Ric Carroll, aged 22, who landed in Charlestown, Massachusetts in 1803 8
Elizth Carroll, who landed in America in 1804 8
Edward Carroll, who landed in America in 1806 8
John S Carroll, aged 31, who landed in New York in 1812 8
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Carroll migration to Canada +

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 9

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 included the First Fleet, Second Fleet and Third Fleet of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

First Fleet

Mrs. Mary Carroll, (b. 1772), aged 15, British settler convicted in London, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Juliana" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 7
Mr. John Carroll, (Calham), British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1784, sentenced to 14 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Neptune, Scarborough or Surprize" leaving in 1789 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1790 8

Second Fleet

Miss Mary Carroll, British settler convicted in Middlesex, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing clothes, transported aboard the ship "Mary Ann" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8
Mr. John Carroll, British settler convicted in London, England in 1787, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Albermarle" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8
Mr. Thomas Carroll, British settler convicted in London, England in 1790, sentenced to 7 years for stealing, transported aboard the ship "Active" leaving in 1790 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1791 8

Third Fleet

Miss Mary Carroll, (b. 1750), aged 37, English settler convicted in London on 25th October 1786, sentenced for 7 years for theft, transported aboard the ship "Lady Penrhyn" leaving in 1787 arriving in New South Wales, Australia in 1788 8

Following the First, Second and Third Fleets, other convicts and early settlers arriving in Australia 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 10
Mr. George Carroll, Irish settler who was convicted in Ireland for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Friendship" on 24th August 1799, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
Mr. Timothy Carroll, Irish settler who was convicted in Ireland for life for rebellion, transported aboard the "Friendship" on 24th August 1799, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11

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 12
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 13
Mr.Michael Carroll, (b. 1795), aged 17, British brick layer who was convicted in London, England for life for stealing, transported aboard the "Fortune" on 31st October 1812, 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 14
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 15
... (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 16
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 17
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, best known for "Alice's Adventures in Wonderland" (1865), and its sequel "Through the Looking-Glass" (1871); and his poems "Jabberwocky" (1871) and "The Hunting of the Snark" (1876), both classified in the genre of literary nonsense
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
Ronald Michael Carroll (1968-2025), American DJ, singer, songwriter and music produce, primarily active in the house music circuit
Francis M. Carroll (1938-2024), American figure-skating coach and competitive skater
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
... (Another 26 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 18
Master Gerald Carroll (1910-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 19
Miss Lily Elizabeth Carroll (1911-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 20
Miss Doris Carroll (1912-1917), Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 20
Mrs. Julia Carroll, Canadian resident from Halifax, Nova Scotia, Canada who died in the Halifax Explosion (1917) 20
... (Another 14 entries are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

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.

Sources +

"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
Convict Records of Australia. Retrieved 4th February 2021 from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships
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 24th October 2022). https://convictrecords.com.au
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