The name McCarthy originated in Munster, Ireland in the 11th century when the son of king Cartach called himself Muireadhach mac Carthaigh, which means Muireadhach, son of Carthaigh. Cartach is derived from the Irish word for loving. Within a generation, the surname was simplified to MacCarthy.
The McCarthys rapidly became the dominant family in this region. However, with the rise of the O’Brien family, conflict developed between these two clans. After over a century of hostilities, flaring into sporadic episodes of outright war, the McCarthy’s left their historic homeland in Tiperrary, heading south, to the area that now includes the counties of Kerry and Cork. While the McCarthys remain associated with this region, their dominance was shattered by English forces towards the end of the 18th century.
With the ascendance of English hegemony, the Irish aristocracy was displaced, losing almost all of their power and possessions. Facing a bleak future in Ireland, the McCarthys scattered to other regions. It was at this time that the McCarthys became noteworthy in the armies of Europe. In 1690 Justin MacCarthy , Viscount Mountcashel, founded the Irish Brigade in the army of Louis XlV of France, in exchange for French infantry, which were sent to fight in the Williamite war in Ireland.
As the 13th most common Irish surname, the sheer numbers of McCarthys complicates genealogical research. A Google search on November 30, 2006, displayed over 32,000,000 results, and a review of commercial and non-commercial genealogical websites reveals such a plethora of information, that determining precise relationships requires an analysis of both names and birthdates. Thus, McCarthy.eu is providing information of a more general nature, including short biographies of famous McCarthys, as well as appropriate, non-commercial, links for those interested in more detailed information.
Biographies
Joseph Raymond McCarthy (1908 –1957), perhaps the most famous McCarthy of modern times, was noted for his aggressive pursuit of communist spies within the American Government, the entertainement industry, and society at large. At a time when the Soviet Union was actively engaged in stealing America’s nuclear and missile technology secrets, and there was a genuine fear of a major nuclear exchange, American society was ripe for an anti-communist witch hunt. The term “McCarthyism” was coined by McCarthy’s opponents to describe the aggressive and baseless defamation practiced by Senator McCarthy.
Ultimately, McCarthy was censored by the US Senate. While he remained in office, his political influence waned.
Eugene McCarthy (1916-2005) is most remembered for serving in the U.S House of Representatives from 1949 to 1959, and in the U.S. Senate from 1959 to 1971, as well as five unsuccessful bids for the U.S. Presidency. The 1968 presidential election was the most memorable, with riots breaking out at the Chicago Democratic Convention. McCarthy ran on an anti-Vietnam War platform, against incumbent Lyndon Johnson. McCarthy garnered considerable support from left wing youth, many of whom were referred to as hippies.
After losing the 1968 bid for the Democratic nomination, McCarthy remained active in politics for most of the remainder of his life. He supported liberal causes and candidates, including Ralph Nader in the 2000 presidential election
McCarthy is the author of numerous books, most pertaining to politics and government, although he did publish a book of poetry in 1997, when he was 81 years old.
Additional biographies will be added on a regular basis
Sir Cormac MacCarthy, was the great-grandson of Cormac MacCarthy, Lord of Muskerry, d. 1616
Florence MacCarthy: an Irish chieftain, 1563-1640
Cormac MacCarthy: Viscount Muskerry and Baron of Blarney; the son of Sir Cormac MacCarthy, d. 1640
Donough MacCarthy: Viscount Muskerry and Earl of Clancarty, son of Sir Cormac MacCarthy, d. 1665
Charles MacCarthy: Eldest son of Donough MacCarthy, d. 1665
Justin MacCarthy: Viscount Mountcashel, younger son of Donough MacCarthy, Viscount Muskerry, founded the Irish Brigade in the army of Louis XIV d. 1694
Donogh MacCarthy, Viscout Muskerry, 1670-1734
Nicholas MacCarthy: Irish religious leader, 1769-1833
Harry McCarthy: variety entertainer, who wrote "The Bonnie Blue Flag" in 1861
Denis Florence MacCarthy: Irish poet, 1818-1882
Justin McCarthy: Irish politician and author, 1830-1912
Fabian "Fabe" McCarthy: Australian rugby union player, born 1919
Tommy McCarthy: Hall of Fame baseball outfielder, 1863-1922
John McCarthy : computer scientist, born 1927
Cormac McCarthy, novelist, born 1933
John McCarthy: Australian ambassador, born 1942
Joseph McCarthy: Tin Pan Alley lyricist ("You Made Me Love You"), 1885-1943
Carolyn McCarthy: U.S. Representative, born 1944
Dennis McCarthy: composer , born 1945
Mary McCarthy (CIA): former employee of the CIA, born 1945
Sir Desmond MacCarthy: English critic, 1878-1952
Patrick McCarthy: Canadian born Australian author and martial arts instructor, DOB 1954
Joseph McCarthy: U.S. Senator, 1908-1957
Terence Francis MacCarthy: historian, born 1957
Mick McCarthy: football player and manager, born 1959
Andrew McCarthy: actor, born 1962
Jenny McCarthy: American model and actress, born 1972
Joe McCarthy : Hall of Fame baseball manager, 1887-1978
Glenn McCarthy: American oil tycoon and businessman, 1907-1988
Mary McCarthy : intellectual, editor and writer of Partisan Review, 1912-1989
Thaddeus McCarthy: New Zealand jurist, 1907-2001
