Surname Cormick - Meaning and Origin
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Cormick: What does the surname Cormick mean?
'Cormick' is a surname of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Cormaic', which translates to 'son of Cormac'. The name Cormac itself consists of two elements: 'corb' meaning 'wheel, or 'chariot', and 'mac' meaning 'son'. Therefore, the name Cormac can be interpreted as 'son of the wheel' or 'son of the chariot'. This potentially suggests a warrior lineage or someone involved in transport or trade during ancient times. Over time, the prefix 'Mac' was often dropped or anglicized to 'Mc' or 'O', leading to variations of the surname such as McCormick, Cormack, and McCormack. Like many surnames of this origin, Cormick is patronymic, meaning it was originally based on the name of a father or patriarch. It's important to note that meanings can evolve and change over time, so this explanation may not hold true for every individual bearing the surname Cormick today.
Order DNA origin analysisCormick: Where does the name Cormick come from?
The surname Cormick, as well as its variant forms like McCormick and Cormac, originate from Ireland. It's derived from the Gaelic "Mac Cormaic," which means "son of Cormac." The personal name Cormac is composed of two elements: "corb," which means "raven" or "wheel," and "mac," meaning "son." Thus, the name can be interpreted as "son of the raven" or "son of the charioteer."
Today, the last name Cormick, and particularly its more common variant McCormick, can be found in significant numbers in countries where the Irish diaspora settled. Besides Ireland, these countries include the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the United Kingdom. It's notable that in its native Ireland, the name is most common in Ulster northern province, particularly in the county of Fermanagh. In the United States, the largest concentrations of Cormicks and McCormicks are in states with large Irish-American populations like Massachusetts and New York.
Variations of the surname Cormick
The surname Cormick has multiple variant spellings and comes from a common Gaelic name, which has undergone numerous changes over time. Common variants include McCormick, MacCormick, McCormack, MacCormack, Cormack, and Cormac. The prefix "Mac" or "Mc" indicates "son of," so all these names trace back to "son of Cormac."
Alternate spellings due to phonetic transcriptions include Kormick, Kormack, Cormock, Cormic, Kormic, Mccormik, and Mccormik. Sometimes, an 'i' replaces the 'a' or the 'o' in Cormac, so there are Mccormik and MacCormik. The prefix can alternatively be dropped, creating the names Cormick, Cormack, and Cormac, which are used as first names as well.
The names Corbet and Corbett which mean 'little Cormac' can also be considered as extensions of the original name Cormac. Similarly, the surnames Corbally and Corballis mean 'Cormac's town' and 'Cormac's place' respectively.
In Scotland and northern Ireland, the names have been further localized into Carmichael, Carmack, and Carmick. All of these variations share the same origin, and an understanding of Gaelic naming traditions helps make sense of the differences.
Famous people with the name Cormick
- Neva Jane Langley Fickling Cormick: She was Miss America 1953 and the first Georgian to take the crown.
- Ellen McCormick: An American peace activist and presidential candidate.
- Myron McCormick: An American actor known for his work on Broadway and in films.
- Pat McCormick: A renowned American comic actor and writer.
- Frank McCormick: A former professional baseball player who played for the Cincinnati Reds.
- Andrew Cormick: An Australian rugby league player.
- Cormick Stockdale: A famous Anglican priest.
- Kelli McCormick: An American actress best known for her roles in A Dangerous Profession and Rose of the Rio Grande.
- McCormick Lindstrom: An American football player.
- Sarah Jane McCormick: An Australian actress known for her roles in popular TV shows. Please note that the listed names might have varied spellings concerning their last names due to anglicized versions or differences in regional spelling.