History reveals the roots of the MacCarrig family name in the ancient Strathclyde people of the Scottish/English Borderlands. The MacCarrig name is derived from the
personal name Craig. Thus, MacCarrig is a
patronymic name, taken from the given name of the father or some other ancestor of the bearer. However, MacCarrig may also be of
local origin, referring to those who lived in or near the place called Carrick in
Ayrshire.
Early Origins of the MacCarrig family
The surname MacCarrig 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, and were known as 'the men of Carrick'. Duncan de Carrick (died 1250) was made the Mormaer (Earl) of Carrick by Scottish King Alexander I in 1186. He was a direct ancestor Robert the Bruce (Robert I), King of the Scots 1274-1329.
Early History of the MacCarrig family
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacCarrig research.
Another 185 words (13 lines of text) covering the years 1224, 1296, 1370, 1380, 1370 and 1371 are included under the topic Early MacCarrig History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
MacCarrig Spelling Variations
Prior to the first dictionaries, scribes spelled words according to sound. This, and the fact that Scottish names were repeatedly translated from Gaelic to English and back, contributed to the enormous number of
spelling variations in Scottish names. MacCarrig has been spelled Carrick, Carick, Carich, Carrich, Karryck, Karrik, Karrick, Kerrich, Kerrick, Carrig, Carrigy, McCarrigy and many more.
Early Notables of the MacCarrig family (pre 1700)
Another 27 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacCarrig Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the MacCarrig family to Ireland
Some of the MacCarrig family moved to
Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 43 words (3 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Migration of the MacCarrig family to the New World and Oceana
In such difficult times, the difficulties of raising the money to cross the Atlantic to North America did not seem so large compared to the problems of keeping a family together in
Scotland. It was a journey well worth the cost, since it was rewarded with land and freedom the Scots could not find at home. The American
War of Independence solidified that freedom, and many of those settlers went on to play important parts in the forging of a great nation. Among them: Richard Carrick, who arrived in Virginia in 1650; Roger Carrick, who came to Virginia in 1672; Christian Carrick, a bonded passenger, who came to America in 1758.
The MacCarrig 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: Garde bien
Motto Translation: Watch well.