Origins & History of the McCarthy Clan
McCarthy (from Mac Cárthaigh) means “son of Cárthach” (from cárthach, meaning “loving” or “cherished”). The McCarthys were the supreme Gaelic royal rulers of Munster, reigning as Kings of Desmond and Princes of Carbery.
They built celebrated fortresses across County Cork and Kerry, including Blarney Castle (home to the Blarney Stone) and Kilbrittain Castle.
In the United States, McCarthys settled densely across Boston, New York, and San Francisco, making immense contributions to American literature, law, and politics.