Surname McGarrity - Meaning and Origin

McGarrity: What does the surname McGarrity mean?

The last name McGarrity is of Irish origin and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name 'Mag Oireachtaigh'. It comes from the word 'Oireachtach' meaning 'member of the assembly'. This was an occupational surname often associated with those who held seats in early Irish parliaments or assemblies. The prefix 'Mc' or 'Mac' in Irish names means 'son of', hence 'McGarrity' signifies 'son of a member of the assembly'. Like many other Irish names, it has gone through variations in spelling over centuries. While it is not as common as some other Irish surnames, it has been borne by notable people, like the Irish-American Joseph McGarrity, who was known for his support of Irish republicanism.

McGarrity: Where does the name McGarrity come from?

The surname McGarrity is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic "Mag Oireachtaigh," which loosely translates to "son of the member of the assembly." The name may have been given initially to families who had political roles within their communities. The McGarrity family originated from County Mayo in the western part of Ireland. Given the historical mass emigration from Ireland to other countries, especially during the Great Famine in the mid-19th century, it is now prevalent in various parts of the world.

Today, the surname McGarrity remains commonly found in its country of origin, Ireland. It also has a significant occurrence in countries with substantial Irish diaspora like United States, Australia, Canada, and the UK. Despite its spread, it is still not an extremely common surname.

Variations of the surname McGarrity

Surnames vary greatly based on different factors such as geographical location, culture, and time. The surname McGarrity is of Irish origin, and thus has many variants in existence. Variations of the surname McGarrity can include McGarity, MacGarrity, MacGarrity, MacGarrity, McGuiretty, and Magarrity. These variants arose due to different regional dialects and spellings that change over time.

In addition, the prefix 'Mc' sometimes interchanges with 'Mac', both indicating 'son of'. Therefore, MacGarrity is another possible form for the same surname. Sometimes, these prefixes may be dropped entirely, leading to forms like Garrity. Surnames may also have been anglicized during periods of English control over Ireland, leading to simplifications or changes in spelling.

As for surnames of the same origin, McGuire, McGee, McGovern, and others are also Irish surnames starting with 'Mc' meaning "son of", but they are derived from other given names.

It's interesting to note that names can carry historical, regional, and cultural markings, with the McGarrity name telling a tale of Irish lineage. However, the exact relationships between surnames and their variants can only be effectively traced through detailed genealogical research.

Famous people with the name McGarrity

• Marian McGarrity: American actress best known for her appearances in various horror, fantasy, and science fiction films
• Tom McGarrity: American college basketball coach
• Paul McGarrity: Irish hurler, played for University College Dublin from 2005 to 2015
• Kieron McGarrity: Irish Gaelic footballer and former captain of the Roscommon senior football team
• Louise McGarrity: Irish actress and comedian, best known for her role in the RTÉ Six One News
• Jim McGarrity: Former Gaelic football goalkeeper for Dublin
• Maeve McGarrity: Award-winning Irish children's writer and illustrator
• Michael McGarrity: Best-selling crime fiction author of books such as Tularosa and Breakheart Pass
• Tom McGarrity: Former Major League Baseball pitcher, played for teams such as Chicago White Sox and Philadelphia Phillies
• Matt McGarrity: American professional lacrosse player who plays for the Chesapeake Bayhawks of Major League Lacrosse

Other surnames

McGarrick