Surname MacCarragher - Meaning and Origin
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MacCarragher: What does the surname MacCarragher mean?
The surname MacCarragher is of Irish origin and can be translated to mean "son of the charioteer." It originated from a nickname used for people who either drove carts or chariots. In ancient Ireland and Scotland, a charioteer would have likely been a messenger entrusted with conveying important messages between regions, leaders, or clans.
The name could also be attributed to the patronymic septs of Norman families who settled in Ireland in the 12th century. These families were granted lands in the Irish province of Ulster, and used chariots for transport.
Over the centuries, the spelling of MacCarragher has changed, with surname variations including MacCarrogh(e)r, McCar(g)rel, McCorger, McCorquodale, and Carrigan.
Storied are told of the MacCarragher clan of Monaghan, Ireland who were warriors and fierce guardians of the land. A prominent branch of the clan, known as the Magaurans, were named after their territory of Magh Auoi, meaning “the plain of the marshes” and located in Monaghan’s northlands.
The name MacCarragher is a proud reminder of the bravery and loyalty of this ancient clan. It is a badge of honor for those who are direct descendants, as well as others who have adopted MacCarragher as a surname.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCarragher: Where does the name MacCarragher come from?
The last name MacCarragher is of Irish origin. It is thought to be of MacCarthaigh Uí Dhonnagáin in origin, a branch of the O'Donnelly family. Currently, MacCarragher is most commonly found in the Irish counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Meath, Wexford, and Waterford.
MacCarragher is also quite common in Northern Ireland. In fact, nearly 2,000 MacCarragher's were recorded living in counties Tyrone and Antrim in a 1911 census. It is also known that there are numerous MacCarragher's living in Scotland, England, Canada, United States, and Australia who trace their ancestry back to Ireland.
Most of the MacCarragher's today have connections to the MacCarthaig Sept whose members were chiefs in the central Irish province of Uí Dhonnagáin in the 13th century. From the 18th to 20th centuries, many MacCarragher's emigrated to Scotland, North America, Canada, and Australia.
The link to their homeland remains strong and a lot of MacCarragher's still visit their ancestral homelands of Northern Ireland and the Republic of Ireland. Furthermore, a lot of families still speak Irish in their homes, something that is a source of great pride for them.
Overall, MacCarragher is mostly a regional surname widely spread throughout Ireland, Northern Ireland, Scotland, North America, Canada, Australia, and other countries with Irish immigrants. Today, the MacCarragher surname is still seen in the Irish counties of Cavan, Monaghan, Meath, Wexford, Waterford, and in Northern Ireland. It is also common due to the many Irish immigrants over the past several centuries.
Variations of the surname MacCarragher
The surname MacCarragher (also spelled MacCaragher, MacCarraher, MacCarrghar, MacCaughar, and MacCauger) is an Irish surname believed to be of Gaelic origin. The name is derived from the combination of two Gaelic words, Mac meaning "son of" and Carragh meaning "stone fort". It is believed that the name originated with families who once lived near or in such a fort.
MacCarragher is a popular surname in Ireland, and its variations are found among Irish emigrants and descendants around the world. Notable people with the surname include Scottish artifact collector Sir John MacCarragher, who lived in the 19th century, and Irish actor John McCaugar, who has appeared in films such as Sleepers and The Painted Veil.
Variations of the name MacCarragher include Carragher, Carraher, Carraghur, Caragher, Carrah, Caroher, Carrahar, Carroher, Carrohir, Carrolher, Carrolhir, Carralher, Carralhir, Carrighar, Ceroher, Cragher, and MacAughar. Other variations and surnames with Scottish or Irish backgrounds related to MacCarragher include MacRae, MacRory, MacRaurie, monarchy, McCreery, McCrory, MacCreery, MacCrarey, McCrarey and McGrory.
Famous people with the name MacCarragher
- Jamie Carragher: Jamie is a renowned English retired professional footballer who enjoyed a successful career working for Premier League club Liverpool and later Sky Sports as a television commentator and football pundit.
- Ray MacCarragher: Ray is an Australian former rugby league footballer who played for the Parramatta Eels and the Balmain Tigers in the 1980s and 1990s.
- Brigid MacCarragher: Brigid is an acclaimed Irish author and theatre director, with several of her works including plays and poetry achieving significant critical acclaim.
- Tommy MacCarragher: Tommy is a Northern Ireland professional footballer who is currently playing for the Irish League club Coleraine.
- Neil MacCarragher: Neil is a British artist and sculptor whose distinctive style has earned him critical acclaim, with his work featured in Royal Academy and Tate Modern exhibitions.
- Stephen MacCarragher: Stephen is an American legal and business adviser who has worked on a wide range of projects, including international trade and investment issues.
- Ciara MacCarragher: Ciara is an Irish nurse active in the field of mental health and addiction treatment, working with a variety of organizations and patients to help improve health outcomes.
- Mark MacCarragher: Mark is a UK-based professional cyclist, having competed in the Olympic Games in 2008 and won multiple national titles.
- Joan MacCarragher: Joan is a retired Irish teacher who taught for over thirty years in schools around Dublin. During her time teaching, she was known for being a passionate and dedicated instructor who cared deeply about each of her pupils.
- Laura MacCarragher: Laura is an award-winning Canadian songwriter based in Toronto. Her music has been featured in a number of films and television series, and she has also released two albums under her own name.