Map of Ireland showing where the McCarthy arms are recorded
The McCarthy arms were recorded in Cork, c. 1645.
Cork was the largest county in Ireland, with a great harbour and a wide farming hinterland. Both English settlers and older Irish families held land there, and holding land is what brought a family into the records.
This is where the arms were entered in the register. Families often moved to other parts of the country, so the same name can turn up in more than one region.
The body that granted and recorded arms in Ireland in this period.
Charles I of England
Sovereign of the period
Charles I of England
1625–1649
Reigning in Ireland when the McCarthy arms are first recorded.
How Arms Worked in Ireland
The Ulster King of Arms granted coats of arms to individuals who proved their social standing and good character. These symbols were typically inherited by all legitimate descendants of the original holder. If a family branch wanted a unique look, they could apply for a specific change to their design through the office to ensure their identity remained distinct.
Granting authority
The Ulster King of Arms acted as the official body that regulated and issued all coats of arms throughout Ireland.
How they got arms
Families obtained their arms through formal grants issued by the office after proving their eligibility and paying the required fees.
Where arms were recorded
All official grants were recorded in the registers held by the Ulster King of Arms starting from the year 1552.
The family's standing
Recorded among the armigerous families of Cork.
Origin & History of the McCarthy Family in Ireland
The McCarthy family name originates from the Gaelic name Mac Cárthaigh, which translates to son of Cárthach. The name Cárthach itself means loving or affectionate. The family rose to great prominence in the Kingdom of Munster, which covered much of the south of Ireland. By the eleventh century, they had established themselves as a powerful dynasty based in the region of modern-day County Cork. They were part of the Eóganachta, a group of royal families that ruled over Munster for many centuries. As the leaders of the Eóghanacht Chaisil, the McCarthys held significant political and military influence throughout the medieval period. They built numerous stone castles and monasteries across the landscape of Cork to solidify their control over the territory. Their history is deeply tied to the development of the region, as they acted as major patrons of Irish culture, law, and the church for generations.
McCarthy Meaning & Related Branches
Root word
Carthach
A Gaelic personal name derived from the word for loving or affectionate.
This name
McCarthyRefers to the son of the loving or affectionate one.
also spelled
Carthy
Macarthy
Mccarty
Related arms
Mac Carthyvariant spelling
Le-Poer-Trenchrecorded with McCarthy, same area
Mac Dermotrecorded with McCarthy, same area
O'Crouleyrecorded with McCarthy, same area
Documented Sources
Sir Bernard Burke, The General Armory of England, Scotland, Ireland and Wales, London: Harrison & Sons, 1884
Cronin, Denis A., A History of Cork, 2003
Ó Murchadha, Diarmuid, The Diocese of Cork: Its Origins and History, 1985
National Archives of Ireland, Genealogical Office Manuscripts
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stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
stagPeace and harmony, and one who will not fight unprovoked
