Surname MacMearty - Meaning and Origin
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MacMearty: What does the surname MacMearty mean?
The last name MacMearty is a popular Irish surname derived from the Irish Gaelic terms "Mac" meaning "son of," and "Mearty," derived from the Gaelic word “Míodhburtha,” meaning “noble and famous.” The surname itself was first found in County Roscommon, Ireland, where it was a popular sept of the Uí Briuin tribe. In the early medieval period, the name MacMearty was used to denote landholdings and could also have been used by relations of noble families who served as the guardians of their kinsmen’s land.
In the 17th century, the surname MacMearty spread around the world as immigrants left their native land in search of a better life. Those who left populated many countries such as the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, most commonly in search of increased economic opportunities and religious freedom. Today, people with the last name MacMearty continue to practice traditional Irish customs and culture. In addition, the MacMearty family name has become a rich part of the Irish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMacMearty: Where does the name MacMearty come from?
The last name MacMearty is most commonly associated with County Mayo in the west of Ireland. The MacMearty name has historic roots in the area, with records pointing to the family having lived in the region for centuries. The MacMearty name is still prominent in County Mayo today.
The MacMearty family originated in the town of Loughrea, in the north of the county. From here their influence extended throughout the district, as evidenced by place and road names such as the Mac Mearty bridge and several ancient burial sites belonging to the family.
The name is still popular in the local area, and is a reminder of the family’s presence in Mayo for centuries. The information in the 1901 census of Ireland shows that there were very large populations of MacMearty’s living in Castlebar and Swinford towns at the time.
Today, the name remains in the records, although it has shown a decline in numbers in recent years. Despite this, there are still many MacMearty’s living in the area, making the name still relatively common in County Mayo. The local surnames database shows that there are still members of the MacMearty family living in Ballina, Castlebar, Westport, and several other towns and villages throughout the county. It is also possible to trace the family’s history and remaining members further afield, including in the United States and other parts of the world.
Variations of the surname MacMearty
The variant spellings and surnames of MacMearty include MacMarty, MacSmartie, MacMartie, MacMarthy, and MacMarthie. It is a patronymic name derived from the surname MaMhartaigh, which comes from the Gaelic for “son of the hound of the sea” or “son of the mariner,” indicating a possible origin for the family in coastal regions. The MacMearty surname is thought to originate from Connacht or Munster regions of Ireland, though the precise origin is unclear.
The earliest record of the MacMearty surname dates back to the 9th century, when the persecution of the Irish was just beginning and many members of the dynasty emigrated or changed their surnames to avoid oppressive rulers. The MacMearty family was also part of the powerful O’Neill dynasty, which once ruled large parts of ancient Ireland, and there are numerous references to various members of the MacMearty family line throughout Irish history.
The MacMearty surname today is most common in southern and western regions of Ireland, though it can be found throughout the world. The surname is sometimes Anglicized as Marty, Martie, Marthy and Marthie to better blend in with the English-speaking population. It is still common practice in some areas for families to keep lists of the surnames that their ancestors and relatives had, and MacMearty is one of those surnames that has survived in this way.
Famous people with the name MacMearty
- Magee MacMearty: an American actor who is known for films such as Ceremony, Big House Blues, and I Drink Your Blood.
- Jimmy MacMearty: an American singer and songwriter who had hits like "Can't Get Enough of Your Lovin'" and "Send Me an Angel".
- Kevin MacMearty: a Canadian professional hockey player who has played for the Vancouver Canucks and the Montreal Canadiens.
- Bill MacMearty: an American film and television actor who is most well known for his recurring roles in popular shows like Cheers, Friends, and ER.
- Stuart MacMearty: an Australian performer and composer who performed with some of Australia's top jazz bands, released multiple solo albums, and composed music for film and television.
- Sarah MacMearty: an American poet and essayist who won the National Book Award for her collection of poems entitled Songs of Morning and Night.
- Alan MacMearty: a British businessman and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for Lymington from 1987 to 1997.
- Alan MacMearty: a Northern Irish singer-songwriter and producer who has released several albums and contributed to a number of TV and film soundtracks.
- Dymphna MacMearty: an Irish-American painter and sculptor who has had public art installations around the world and is known for her abstract expressionist style.
- Isaac MacMearty: a British actor and stand-up comedian who is most widely known for his work in the UK phenomenon Gavin and Stacey.