Mccarthy
A surname of Irish origin meaning "son of Cárthaigh" (loving person) or "son of Artagh" (stone).
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 96,383 Americans carry the last name Mccarthy. That puts it at #384 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 28.12 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 3,556 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Mccarthy surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
96K
1 in 3,556
Census rank
#384
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
28.1
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
83K
uncommon in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 82,950 bearers of the surname Mccarthy in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 28.12 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 384th position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Mccarthy, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.3%. The next largest groups are Black (3.3%) and Hispanic (2.2%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Mccarthy
The surname McCarthy has its origins in Ireland, tracing back to the 11th century. It is an anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic name "Mac Carthaidh," meaning "son of Carthach." Carthach was a personal name derived from the Old Irish words "cart" meaning "loving" and "ach" meaning "having the quality of."
The McCarthy family was one of the most prominent ruling clans in the medieval Irish Kingdom of Desmond, which encompassed parts of what is now County Cork and County Kerry. They were descendants of the Eóganacht Chaisil dynasty, which ruled the region from the 5th century until the Norman invasion of Ireland in the late 12th century.
One of the earliest recorded instances of the name McCarthy appears in the Annals of Inisfallen, a medieval Irish chronicle dating back to the 11th century. The annals mention a chieftain named "Carthach, son of Saerbhreathach" who lived in the 10th century and was a member of the Eóganacht Chaisil dynasty.
During the Norman invasion of Ireland, the McCarthys initially resisted the invaders but eventually submitted to King Henry II of England. In return, they were granted lands and recognized as the rulers of Desmond. The most notable member of the McCarthy clan during this period was Donal Gott McCarthy, who lived from 1238 to 1305 and was the King of Desmond.
In the 16th century, the McCarthy clan played a significant role in the Desmond Rebellions against English rule in Ireland. One of the leaders of the rebellion was Donal McCarthy Mor, who lived from 1594 to 1640 and was known for his fierce resistance against the English forces.
Other notable individuals with the surname McCarthy throughout history include:
1. Justin McCarthy (1830-1912), an Irish novelist, historian, and politician who served as a Member of Parliament for several constituencies.
2. Mary McCarthy (1912-1989), an American novelist, critic, and political activist known for her satirical and polemical works.
3. Joseph McCarthy (1908-1957), the controversial American politician who led the anti-communist campaign known as the "Red Scare" in the 1950s.
4. Cormac McCarthy (born 1933), an American novelist, playwright, and screenwriter known for his works such as "Blood Meridian" and "The Road."
5. Melissa McCarthy (born 1970), an American actress, comedian, writer, and producer, known for her roles in films like "Bridesmaids" and "Spy."
The surname McCarthy has evolved over the centuries, with various spellings such as MacCarthy, MacCarty, and Carty being used in different regions and historical periods.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Mccarthy
Among Census respondents with the surname Mccarthy, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.3%. The next largest groups are Black (3.3%) and Hispanic (2.2%).
The bar chart below shows how Mccarthy bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Mccarthy surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White92.3%
- Black or African American3.3%
- Hispanic or Latino2.2%
- Two or more races1.3%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
- American Indian and Alaska Native0.3%
Year on year
2000 vs 2010 Census
How has the Mccarthy surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2000 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #348 | #384 | -10.3% |
| Count | 81,035 | 82,950 | 2.4% |
| Per 100K | 30.04 | 28.12 | -6.4% |
Between the 2000 and 2010 Census, the number of Mccarthy bearers went from 81,035 to 82,950 (+2.4% change). The surname moved down 36 positions in the national ranking, going from #348 to #384.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Mccarthy
FAQ
Mccarthy surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Mccarthy?
The surname Mccarthy holds position #384 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 96,383 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 28.12 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Mccarthy surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Mccarthy, the largest self-reported group is White at 92.3%. The next largest groups are Black (3.3%) and Hispanic (2.2%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.