Last Name Mcgarry

The last name "McGarry" is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Guairri," which was later anglicized as "Mac Fhiachra," meaning "son of Fiachra." "Fiachra" is a traditional Irish name derived from the old Irish word "fiach," which means "raven." The surname evolved as "MacGaurie," "MacGarry," and eventually "McGarry" through various anglicization processes over time. The name is predominantly found in Ireland, particularly in counties Donegal, Derry, and Tyrone.

Race and Ethnicity of people with the last name Mcgarry

In terms of ethnic identity as recorded in the Decennial U.S. Census, the majority of people with the surname Mcgarry identified as White, although there was a slight decrease in this group from 95.24% in 2000 to 94.30% in 2010. There was a significant increase of 75.51% in the Asian/Pacific Islander category, although they still represented less than 1% of all McGarrys. Individuals identifying with two or more races decreased by 22.22%, while those identifying as American Indian and Alaskan Native decreased by 32%. The proportion of individuals self-identifying as Hispanic increased by 49.22%, while the Black category saw a minor decrease of 1.33%.

	2000	2010	Change
White	95.24%	94.3%	-0.99%
Hispanic	1.93%	2.88%	49.22%
Two or More Races	1.35%	1.05%	-22.22%
Asian/Pacific Islander	0.49%	0.86%	75.51%
Black	0.75%	0.74%	-1.33%
American Indian and Alaskan Native	0.25%	0.17%	-32%

Mcgarry ancestry composition

NomOrigine computes an ancestry breakdown for each customer. People may have ancestry from just one population or they may have ancestry from several populations. The most commonly-observed ancestry found in people with the surname Mcgarry is British & Irish, which comprises 60.5% of all ancestry found in people with the surname. The next two most common ancestries are French & German (16.4%) and Eastern European (5.8%). Additional ancestries include Italian, Scandinavian, Spanish & Portuguese, Indigenous American, and Ashkenazi Jewish.

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ANCESTRY BREAKDOWN	COMPOSITION
British & Irish	60.5%
French & German	16.4%
Eastern European	5.8%
Other	17.3%

Your paternal lineage may be linked to Niall of the Nine Hostages

The spread of haplogroup R-M222 in northern Ireland and Scotland was likely aided by men like Niall of the Nine Hostages. Perhaps more myth than man, Niall is said to have been a King of Tara in northwestern Ireland in the late 4th century C.E. His name comes from a tale of nine hostages that he held from the regions he ruled over. Though the legendary stories of his life may have been invented hundreds of years after he died, genetic evidence suggests that the Uí Néill dynasty, whose name means "descendants of Niall," did in fact trace back to just one man who likely bore haplogroup R-M222, a branch of R-M269.The Uí Néill ruled to various degrees as kings of Ireland from the 7th to the 11th century C.E. In the highly patriarchal society of medieval Ireland, their status allowed them to have outsized numbers of children and spread their paternal lineage each generation. In fact, researchers have estimated that between 2 and 3 million men with roots in north-west Ireland are paternal-line descendants of Niall.

Your maternal lineage may be linked to the nomadic Tuareg of the Sahara

Though haplogroup H1 rarely reaches high frequencies beyond western Europe, over 60% of eastern Tuareg in Libya belong to haplogroup H1. The Tuareg call themselves the Imazghan, meaning “free people.” They are an isolated, semi-nomadic people who inhabit the West-Central Sahara and are known today for a distinctive dark blue turban worn by the men, and for their long history as gatekeepers of the desert.How did women carrying H1 make it all the way from western Europe to this isolated community? They likely migrated from Spain across the Strait of Gibraltar into Morocco after the Last Ice Age, where they were assimilated into the Berbers of the Mediterranean coast. Then, about 5,000 years ago, the Sahara shifted from a period of relative habitable conditions to its dramatically arid desert environment. This shift may have caused migrations throughout the Sahara, prompting the ancient Tuaregs to meet and mingle with the Berbers, bringing H1 lineages into their population.

Learn more about the origin of the last name Mcgarry

The meaning and origin of the last name Mcgarry

The surname McGarry has both Scottish and Irish origins. In Scotland, it is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Garaidh," meaning "son of Garry," which itself is a Gaelic personal name derived from the word "garbh," meaning "rough" or "rugged." The name indicates a person with strong or assertive characteristics. It is worth noting that the Scottish variant of this surname can also be spelled as MacGarry. In Ireland, the name McGarry is believed to be of Galwegian origin, hailing particularly from the province of Connacht. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mag Fhearghaile," meaning "son of Fergus." The name Fergus, originating from Scottish roots, means "man of strength" or "man of vigor." This Irish surname is commonly found in counties Sligo, Mayo, and Roscommon. Today, the surname McGarry can be found among Scottish and Irish communities both in their respective homelands and in other parts of the world due to historical migration patterns.

Geographical distribution of the last name Mcgarry

The last name McGarry has a primarily Irish origin and is associated with strong Gaelic roots. As a result, the geographical distribution of the name is mainly concentrated in Ireland and the United Kingdom. Within Ireland, the name is most commonly found in the northern counties such as Antrim, Down, and Londonderry, where it can be traced back to ancient Celtic families. In the United Kingdom, areas with significant populations of McGarrys include Scotland, particularly in Glasgow and areas of Lanarkshire. The name also has a presence in England, particularly in areas like London and Yorkshire, where Irish immigrants settled in large numbers. Additionally, due to emigration patterns, there are scattered populations of McGarrys in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, especially in areas where Irish immigrants settled and established communities.

Variants and spellings of the last name Mcgarry

The last name McGarry, originating from Ireland, has a few variations and potential spellings. The most common variant of the name is "MacGarry," where the prefix "Mac" means "son of." It suggests a patronymic origin, indicating that the name MacGarry identifies someone as the son of Garry. Another conceivable spelling might be "Magarry," with the prefix "Ma" that sometimes substitutes "Mac" in Irish surnames. Furthermore, there could be regional dialectical differences, resulting in variations like "McGary" or "McGeary." Sometimes, individuals with the last name McGarry may choose to spell it in a more anglicized form, such as "McGary" or "McGerry." These spellings, although not as common, can be found among descendants of Irish immigrants who may have altered the spelling to accommodate English-speaking communities or to simplify pronunciation. Nonetheless, regardless of spelling variations, the last name McGarry signifies its Irish heritage and holds a rich history.

Famous people with the last name Mcgarry

One famous figure with the last name McGarry is John Spencer McGarry, better known as John Spencer. He was an actor best recognized for his portrayal of Leo McGarry on the hit TV series "The West Wing." Spencer received critical acclaim for his exceptional performance, earning him an Emmy Award for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 2002. His character, Leo McGarry, served as the White House Chief of Staff and was known for his wit, intelligence, and strong moral compass. Unfortunately, Spencer passed away in 2005, shortly before the final season of "The West Wing" concluded. His portrayal of Leo McGarry has cemented him as an enduring and beloved member of television history. Overall, John Spencer's impact on the entertainment industry and his memorable depiction of Leo McGarry have made him a well-remembered figure in popular culture.

Genealogical research on the last name Mcgarry

Research on the surname McGarry reveals an interesting genealogical history. Derived from the Gaelic Mac Fhearghusa, meaning "son of Fergus," McGarry originates in Ireland. The surname traces back to the ancient kingdom of Ulster, where the progenitor of the clan, Fergus, held ancestral land. Over the centuries, the McGarry family spread throughout the island, with notable concentrations found in counties Tyrone, Fermanagh, and Donegal. Digging deeper into individual branches of the McGarry family tree, it becomes apparent that many emigrated during the Great Famine of the mid-19th century. A significant number sought better opportunities and a new life in the United States, particularly settling in New York, Boston, and Chicago. Others ventured further afield to places like Canada, Australia, and even South Africa. Today, the McGarry surname endures as a testament to the resilience and determination of its bearers. With a rich lineage rooted in Irish history, the name continues to hold significance for countless individuals seeking a connection to their ancestral past.

Sources & References

• INSEE statistics on the surname "Mcgarry"
• 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 April 2025

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