Surname MacCormack - Meaning and Origin

MacCormack: What does the surname MacCormack mean?

The surname MacCormack is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Cormaic" which means "son of Cormac". The forename Cormac itself is composed of two elements: "corb" meaning charioteer and "mac" meaning son. Therefore, the entire name can be interpreted as "son of the charioteer's son". Some believe it to imply traits such as skill, agility, and strength, reflecting a charioteer's characteristics. MacCormack is a patronymic name, meaning it based on the father's name and it signifies lineage, showcasing a direct ancestral link to a family's patriarchal figure. The diverse spellings include McCormack, MacCormack, McCormick, MacCormick, and many more. Most individuals with this surname can trace their ancestry back to Ireland. The surname also has a rich history and numerous notable bearers in various fields.

MacCormack: Where does the name MacCormack come from?

The surname MacCormack is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Cormaic" meaning "son of Cormac". "Cormac" is composed of two elements "corb" meaning "charioteer" and "mac" meaning "son". During the Middle Ages, it was among the most popular names in Ireland, mainly associated with a number of important ecclesiastical and secular families. Through time, due to migration, the surname MacCormack spread across the globe.

Today, the surname MacCormack, and its various spellings like McCormack and McCormick, is commonly found in countries with a significant Irish diaspora such as the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, and Australia. It's also still quite common in Ireland. Despite its scattering around the world, the highest concentration of people with this surname can still be found on the island of Ireland, particularly in Ulster.

Variations of the surname MacCormack

The surname MacCormack has a rich history and etymology with Gaelic roots traced back to Ireland. It descends from the ancient Irish name Mac Cormaic which means "son of Cormac". There are numerous variants, or spellings for the MacCormack surname due to the translation from Gaelic to English. Alternative spellings include McCormack, Cormack, McCormick, MacCormick, Cormic, Cormican, McCormic, McCormich, MacCormich, and Maccormick.

Sometimes, the prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc', meaning 'son of', is dropped, leading to another variant in the form of Cormack or Cormick. Moreover, the surnames Cormachan, Cormachen, Cormican and Cormickan also are said to have emerged from MacCormack. Differences in spelling can also be attributed to regional dialects and phonetic spellings or transcription errors made by immigration officers.

All these variants of MacCormack share the same origin and have evolved over time, perhaps due to geographical dispersion, local dialects, and anglicization. Moreover, these names may have also changed as families emigrated, particularly during the Irish diaspora, to places like the United States, Canada, Australia, and other parts of the world.

Famous people with the name MacCormack

• Dylan MacCormack: An actor known for "My Name is Water" and "The Don".
• Andrew MacCormack: A jazz musician and composer.
• Hugh MacCormack: An actor famous for the films "The Shepherd of the Hills" and "Conspiracy".
• Ryan MacCormack: A film director and scriptwriter.
• Jessica MacCormack: A recognized contemporary artist and professor.
• Eva MacCormack: An Australian actress who appeared in "Picnic at Hanging Rock".
• Chris MacCormack: Also known as Macca, is an Australian triathlete, multiple Ironman Triathlon winner, and the 2012 Ironman Triathlon World Champion.
• Jack MacCormack: A stage and television actor.
• John MacCormack: A well-known tenor singer in the early- to mid-20th century, mainly in the United Kingdom and United States.
• Siobhan MacCormack: An Irish actress, known for roles in "Ordinary Decent Criminal" and "The Run of the Country".
• T.L. MacCormack: Author of popular science fiction novels.
• Kacey MacCormack: A TV reporter known for her work at 9News in Denver, Colorado. Please note, not all of these people are widely famous, but they each have made a name for themselves in their respective fields.

Other surnames

MacCormick