Surname McCarvill - Meaning and Origin

McCarvill: What does the surname McCarvill mean?

The surname McCarvill is of Irish origin and is a variant of MacCairbheál, derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Cearbhaill' which means 'son of Cearbhall'. The name Cearbhall itself is thought to possibly mean "hacking with a weapon". It has been used by Irish clans and families as an identifier of lineage throughout centuries. Like many Celtic names, McCarvill has a variety of spellings including MacCarvill, MacCarville, MacCavill, MacHale, and others. It is mostly prevalent in the northern regions of Ireland today. It is important to note that Irish surnames of this type often refer to ancestral relations and can offer insights into family history and genealogy. The many spellings of the name are a result of the numerous phonetic translations from Gaelic to English over the centuries.

McCarvill: Where does the name McCarvill come from?

The surname McCarvill is of Irish origin, derived from "MacCairbhíll," combining the elements "mac" meaning son of, and "Cairbhíll," a personal name composed of "cairb" (hacking) and "giolla" (servant). It signifies lineage or descendance from Cairbhill, which can be translated as "hacking servant" or "one who loves to chop." The surname is a sept, or branch, of the O'Neills, an influential clan in Ireland's history.

The McCarvill family historically originated from County Armagh, an area in the northeastern region of Ireland. The surname transformed over time due to Anglicization and variations in its spelling include MacCarvill, MacCarville, McCarville, and others.

Today, the McCarvill surname remains common in Ireland, particularly in its place of origin, County Armagh. However, due to historical emigration, it has become widespread internationally, especially in countries such as Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand, where Irish diaspora settled. In many of these regions, the surname may have different variants based on phonetic transcriptions made by immigration officials.

Variations of the surname McCarvill

The surname McCarvill primarily comes from Irish origins and is typically found in the form of McCarville. The prefix "Mc" in the name indicates "son of," and it often varies in spelling due to regional dialects and phonetic translations.

Some variations can include MacCarvill, MacCarville, McCarville, McCarvell, and McCarvel. An additional version of the name may also drop the "Mc" or "Mac" entirely, resulting in names such as Carville or Carvill.

In some instances, names of similar origins may have evolved separately due to regional differences, leading to similar sounding but differently spelled surnames like McCargill or McCorville.

Furthermore, alternate spellings might have emerged as a result of transcription errors, phonetic spelling, or Anglicization. This can lead to surnames like Mccarvil, Maccarville or Mackervill.

Please note that while these variants and spellings are plausible, individual family history and migrations may lead to further personalised variations in the name. It's always a good idea to cross verify with genealogical records for intricate details.

Famous people with the name McCarvill

• Brian McCarvill: Founder and President of Canadian marketing agency Rodgers 360.
• Robert McCarvill: Irish Lawyer and former County Registrar for Co. Antrim.
• Trent McCarvill: Former professional basketball player from New Zealand.
• Don McCarvill: Canadian professional wrestler.
• Judy McCarvill: Former professional cycling racer from Canada.
• Tom McCarvill: Former professional baseball pitcher.
• Ken McCarvill: U.S. Air Force pilot and Assistant Director of the Test and Evaluation Division at Eglin Air Force Base.
• Kent McCarvill: Former professional ice hockey player from Canada.
• Paul McCarvill: Farmer, entrepreneur and founder of the McCarvill Farms in Canada.
• Steve McCarvill: Investment banker and former Managing Director of Goldman Sachs.

Other surnames

McCarville