McCartney is a Gaelic name shared between the north of Ireland and Scotland.
Where does the McCartney name come from?
McCartney and MacCartney are anglicised forms associated with Gaelic Mac Cartaine or Mac Artaine, “son of Artan.” Artan is a diminutive of the personal name Art, based on an old word for “bear.” McCartan has a related formation but remains a separate modern surname.
McCartney in Ireland
The name is strongly represented in Ulster, including Belfast, Antrim and other northern districts. Some lines reflect movement from Scotland during the early modern period, while Irish records also preserve the surname in their own local settings. Migration later carried McCartney and MacCartney families to Britain, North America, Australia and elsewhere.
Related Irish family names
You may also like McCabe, McArdle, and Barry.
Frequently asked questions
Is McCartney an Irish surname?
Yes. McCartney is well established in Ulster and also has Scottish Gaelic connections, so a particular family’s history should be tested through local records.
What does McCartney mean?
The name is commonly connected with Mac Cartaine or Mac Artaine, “son of Artan,” a diminutive of Art based on an old word for “bear.”
Is there a McCartney family crest?
Heraldic designs are associated with particular people and branches. A surname alone does not give every McCartney or MacCartney bearer ownership of the same arms.
Explore the MacCartney & McCartney Scottish & Irish Heritage Gifts collection, with each product’s displayed spelling identified clearly.