Show ContentsMcCarrick History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

The ancient Strathclyde Briton name McCarrick is derived from the personal name Craig. Thus, McCarrick is a patronymic name, taken from the given name of the father or some other ancestor of the bearer. However, McCarrick may also be of local origin, referring to those who lived in or near the place called Carrick in Ayrshire. 1

The name could have also been derived from the Gaelic, "carraig" meaning "rock." 2

Early Origins of the McCarrick family

The surname McCarrick 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. Mestre Duncan de Carrike of county of Berewyke rendered homage to King Edward I of England in 1296. 1

Early History of the McCarrick family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McCarrick research. Another 252 words (18 lines of text) covering the years 1224, 1296, 1320, 1360, 1370, 1371, 1372, 1380, 1429, 1554, 1606, 1665, 1716, 1717, 1779 and 1820 are included under the topic Early McCarrick History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McCarrick Spelling Variations

Scribes in Medieval Scotland spelled names by sound rather than any set of rules, so an enormous number of spelling variations exist in names of that era. McCarrick has been spelled Carrick, Carick, Carich, Carrich, Karryck, Karrik, Karrick, Kerrich, Kerrick, Carrig, Carrigy, McCarrigy and many more.

Early Notables of the McCarrick family

Notable amongst the family at this time was John de Carrick (died c. 1380), a native of Carrick, Scotland, Chancellor of Scotland and Bishop-elect of Dunkeld (1370-1371.)David Garrick (1717-1779)...
Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McCarrick Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the McCarrick family to Ireland

Some of the McCarrick 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.


McCarrick migration to the United States +

The number of Strathclyde Clan families sailing for North America increased steadily as the persecution continued. In the colonies, they could find not only freedom from the iron hand of the English government, but land to settle on. The American War of Independence allowed many of these settlers to prove their independence, while some chose to go to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots played essential roles in the forging of both great nations. Among them:

McCarrick Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Kate McCarrick, aged 1, who settled in America from Ballina by Mayo, Ireland, in 1898
McCarrick Settlers in United States in the 20th Century
  • Mary McCarrick, aged 22, who immigrated to the United States from Sligo, in 1906
  • John McCarrick, aged 24, who landed in America from Calloney, Ireland, in 1907
  • Ellen McCarrick, aged 23, who settled in America from Tubbercurry, Ireland, in 1907
  • Edward McCarrick, aged 19, who landed in America from Edinburgh, Scotland, in 1908
  • Nora McCarrick, aged 18, who immigrated to America from Tubbercurry, Ireland, in 1909
  • ... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McCarrick migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McCarrick Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Mr. Martin McCarrick who was emigrating through Grosse Isle Quarantine Station, Quebec aboard the ship "Greenock" departing 19th June 1847 from Liverpool, England; the ship arrived on 29th July 1847 but he died on board 3

Contemporary Notables of the name McCarrick (post 1700) +

  • Theodore Edgar McCarrick (b. 1930), American Cardinal of the Roman Catholic Church
  • Martin McCarrick (b. 1962), English cellist, keyboardist and guitarist
  • Mark McCarrick (b. 1962), English former professional footballer


The McCarrick 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.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. Bardsley, C.W, A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames: With Special American Instances. Wiltshire: Heraldry Today, 1901. Print. (ISBN 0-900455-44-6)
  3. Charbonneau, André, and Doris Drolet-Dubé. A Register of Deceased Persons at Sea and on Grosse Île in 1847. The Minister of Canadian Heritage, 1997. ISBN: 0-660-198/1-1997E (p. 86)


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