Surname McCourt - Meaning and Origin

McCourt: What does the surname McCourt mean?

The last name McCourt is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Cuarta" or "Mac Cuairt", which translates to "son of the journey" or "son of the court". It is often associated with individuals who were travellers or wanderers. Alternative spellings include MacCourt, McCourte, and McCord. The McCourt family's historical roots are deeply entrenched in northern Ireland, particularly in County Armagh. Despite their Irish origins, many people bearing the McCourt surname can also be found in Scotland due to ancient migration and close cultural ties between the two nations. The diaspora of people with this surname occurred mainly during the 19th and 20th centuries due to famine, economic hardship, and the search for a better life. Today, McCourt is a common surname in countries with significant Irish immigrant populations, such as the United States, Canada, and Australia. The name reflects an important aspect of familial and Irish lineage, honoring ancestors and their journeys.

McCourt: Where does the name McCourt come from?

The surname McCourt is of Irish origin and has its roots in the ancient kingdom of Oriel, which was located in modern-day Northern Ireland and certain parts of southeast Ulifax. Its Irish Gaelic form, Mac Cuarta, is derived from the word 'cuarta', loosely meaning 'journeying'. 'Mac' in Gaelic signifies 'son of', making McCourt translate to 'son of cuarta'.

The family name spread across Ireland, Scotland, and England during the 17th Century due to the Plantation of Ulster, a mass colonization movement by the English and Scottish. It is also found among the Irish diaspora, especially in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Today, the surname McCourt is common in Northern Ireland, particularly in County Tyrone, and in many parts of America where it has various spelling forms including McCourt, MacCourt, McCoort, and others. Notable people with the surname include Pulitzer Prize-winning author Frank McCourt, known for his memoir "Angela's Ashes," highlighting the name's continuing connections with Irish culture and heritage.

Variations of the surname McCourt

The surname McCourt has Irish origins and typically denotes "son of Court". Various variations of the surname exist, reflecting both differences in regional pronunciation and historical changes in spelling.

Different variants and spellings of the surname McCourt include McCord, McCurt, McCort, and McCoard. There are also versions that include prefix variations such as MacCourt, MacCurt and MacCord.

Sometimes the prefix 'Mc' or 'Mac', which means 'son of', may be dropped altogether, leading to more variations such as Court, Curt, or Cord. Additionally, the names can possibly be interchanged with ‘K’ instead of ‘C’ as in McCoart or McCort.

Furthermore, the form of the name can change due to Anglicization, the process of making a word more English in form. This has led to variations of the surname, such as the more anglicized forms like Court, Coart, or even Quart.

The surnames may also have been altered over time due to regional accents, dialects, or as a result of migration (where the name might have been modified to fit into the new culture or language).

Lastly, individual family tradition and preference have also played a significant role in the variation of the surname McCourt.

Famous people with the name McCourt

• Frank McCourt (1930–2009): Best-selling author and Pulitzer Prize winner known for his memoir Angela's Ashes.
• Malachy McCourt (born 1931): American actor, politician, and writer.
• Margaret McCourt (born 1926): Australian concert pianist.
• Liam McCourt (born 1936): American lawyer and Chairman, Citi Private Bank.
• Laurence McCourt (1937–2013): English celebrity hairstylist.
• Frank McCourt Jr. (born 1941): American businessman, philanthropist, and chairman of the McCourt Foundation.
• Joseph McCourt (born 1946): British television and film producer.
• Malachy McCourt Jr. (born 1949): American actor and entrepreneur, founder of the McCourt Globalocks company.
• Conor McCourt (born 1950): Irish theologian and author.
• Donald McCourt (born 1950): American writer and lecturer.
• Dana McCourt (born 1962): Canadian actress and musician.
• Cassandra McCourt (born 1970): American author and public speaker.
• Judy McCourt (born 1971): British presenter and journalist.
• Cormac McCourt (born 1972): British actor.
• Aemilia McCourt (born 1974): Australian singer-songwriter, composer and sound designer.

Other surnames

McCoulahMcCounMcCourtieMcCourtneyMcCourty