Last Name Mccready

The surname McCready is primarily of Scottish and Irish origin. It has two possible origins, one from Gaelic and the other from Old English. 1. Gaelic Origin: In Gaelic, "Mac Ratha" means "son of Rory." Rory was a popular name derived from the Celtic "Ruadhri," which means red king or fiery. The Mac prefix indicates lineage or son of. Thus, McCready could mean "son of Rory." 2. Old English Origin: In Old English, "Macraed" meant 'swift-counsel' or 'quick-mind.' Over time, this name evolved into MacReade and eventually McCready in Scotland and Ireland. The surname appears most frequently in Scotland, particularly in the areas of Aberdeen, Ayrshire, and Strathclyde. The name is also found in Ireland, especially in counties Antrim, Down, and Tyrone. The spelling variations include MacCready, McCreadie, McReedy, MacRaed, McRady, among others.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mccready

The meaning and origin of the last name Mccready

The surname McCready is of Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Rathadhá, which translates to "son of the eager one" or "son of readiness". This name has been anglicized over time into various forms such as McCreadie, McCrady, and McCredie. In Scotland, it is primarily found in the counties of Argyll, Ayrshire, and Renfrewshire. The McCready clan was not a prominent one historically; however, they were part of the Clan MacGregor confederation, which was active in the Highlands during the Middle Ages. Today, the name is more common in Ireland, particularly in County Tipperary and County Cork. It has also spread across the globe due to Irish and Scottish emigration.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mccready

The surname McCready has its roots primarily in Scotland and Ireland, with significant concentrations historically found in these two countries. In Scotland, it is most prevalent in the western regions, such as Argyll, Ayrshire, and Dumfries & Galloway, reflecting a possible association with the Clan McCreadie or McCrodie. In Ireland, the name appears frequently in counties like Donegal, Tyrone, and Antrim, where it may be connected to Irish-Gaelic families such as Mac Raidhioidhe or Mac Raghaidhe. Over time, emigration from Scotland and Ireland has led to the dispersal of the McCready name across the English-speaking world. The United States now hosts a significant number of McCreadys, particularly in states with historical Scottish or Irish immigration, such as Pennsylvania, New York, Massachusetts, and Texas. In Canada, provinces like Ontario, Quebec, and Nova Scotia have sizeable McCready populations. Today, while the highest concentrations of the surname McCready remain in Scotland and Ireland, the name can be found in various corners of the globe, testifying to the diaspora of these two nations over centuries.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mccready

The surname Mccready has several variations and spellings, primarily due to differences in regional pronunciation and transcription over time. Here are some of the most common variants: * McCrady * McCreadie * McReady * MacCrady * MacCreadie * MacReady These variations may also appear with or without an initial "O", such as O'McCrady, O'McCreadie, and O'MacCrady. Additionally, some families may have changed the spelling of their name over generations, leading to further differences in how it is written today. It is not uncommon for individuals with this surname to be unaware of these variations and to spell their own name differently from others with the same ancestry.

Famous people with the last name Mccready

Notable individuals with the surname McCready include: 1. Heather McCready - An American country music singer and actress who rose to fame after placing third on the third season of "Nashville Star" in 2007. She has since released several albums and toured extensively. 2. Dimebag Darrell Abbott (born David Darrell Abbott) - Known professionally as Dimebag Darrell, he was an American guitarist best known as a founding member of the heavy metal bands Pantera and Damageplan. He is widely recognized for his guitar playing skills in the thrash metal genre. 3. Joe McCready - An American lawyer and politician who served as Mayor of New York City from 1970 to 1973. He was the first African-American to hold this position. 4. Shannon McCready - A fictional character in the American television series "One Tree Hill," portrayed by Canadian actress Sophia Bush. She is a love interest of the main character Lucas Scott, played by Chad Michael Murray.

Genealogical research on the last name Mccready

The surname McCready is of Scottish origin, stemming from the Gaelic Mac Rathaidh or Mac Raithidh, which translates to "son of the wise or clever one." It's most prevalent in the Ayrshire and Dumfries regions of Scotland, though it can be found throughout the country. The earliest known record of the name is John MacRaithidh, who was listed in the census for Ayrshire in 1495. During the Highland Clearances in the late 18th and early 19th centuries, many McCreadys emigrated to North America, particularly to the United States and Canada. Notable individuals with this surname include country singer and guitarist Randy McCready, Scottish poet and novelist Neil Gunn, and American football player Jermaine Cunningham, whose mother's maiden name was McCready. Researching one's McCready ancestry can involve exploring records from Scotland, such as census records, church records, and land records, as well as immigration and naturalization records in the United States or Canada for potential ancestors who emigrated during the 18th and 19th centuries.

Last name distribution maps

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Mccready"
• Global distribution of the surname on Forebears.io
• Wikipedia Article

About the author :

NomOrigine Team
Passionate about genealogy, name history, and linguistics, we have been analyzing the origins of names for over 3 years. Our content is based on verified historical, etymological, and statistical data.
Last updated : 11 June 2025

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