| ![Show Contents]() Cathy History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
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Ireland Etymology of CathyWhat does the name Cathy mean? The many Irish surnames in use today have long rich histories behind them. The name Cathy originally appeared in Gaelic as Mac Carthaigh, which is derived from the word "carthach," which means "loving." Saint Carthach the Elder (d. 580?), appears in "the 'Felire' of Engus the Culdee (10th cent.) with the epithets of royal and Roman attached to his name. This is generally interpreted to mean that he was of royal ancestry, and had travelled to Rome [cf. Cainnech, Saint]. From the 'Vita Kierani' (Bollandist A. SS., March, v. 395) we gather that he was the grandson of Angus, king of Munster, who would seem to be the king whose death is recorded in the 'Four Masters' under the year 489. Colgan, however, noting that he was the brother of St. Cuanna, quotes from an old genealogy to show that he was the great-grandson of Neill of the Nine Hostages, who died about the year 405. In the 'Vita Kierani,' St. Carthach appears, before the death of St. Patrick, as one of St. Ciaran of Saighir's young disciples." 1 Saint Cathach the Younger (d. 636) also called Mochuda, was "the founder of the famous monastery at Rahen, and bishop of Lismore, was the son of Finnall (Annals Four Masters, sub an. 631). According to his legendary life, which, however, seems to have preserved much that is historical, he was born in Kerry, of the race of Fergus." 1 Early Origins of the Cathy familyThe surname Cathy was first found in County Kerry and much of County Cork, in the area formerly known as Desmond. One of the oldest and most important of all Irish families, the MacCarthy family claim descent from Oilioll Olum, the 3rd century King of Munster who gave the region of Desmond to his son Eoghan after his death. Eoghan's descendants were known as the Eoghanacht, and the surname MacCarthy is derived from Carthach, an 11th century lord of this group who was killed when the Lonegans set his house on fire. They were settled at Carrignavar where they were the Lords of Eoghannacht and Diarmod MacCarty Mor swore fealty to King Henry II thereby retaining his estates in Cork. Innumerable members of the family have been important in Irish history, especially those with the forenames Fineen, Florence or Justin, beginning with the Fineen MacCarthy who vanquished the Geraldines in 1261. Several branches of the powerful MacCarthy sept existed, including MacCarthy Reagh, who held a family seat at Carbery in West Cork, and the Muskerry MacCarthys, who were based in the barony of Muskerry in that county. MacCarthy Mor of County Kerry, long thought to be extinct, has only recently been proven to still exist. The McCarthy Reagh branch rose to become the Princes of Carbery in what is now southwestern County Cork in the 13th century. It is generally thought that Donal Reagh MacCarthy, the 5th Prince of Carbery, a quo MacCarthy Reagh, son of Donal Glas was the first to use Reagh is his surname. From this early listing, each subsequent prince continued to use Reagh in one form or another. As far as the early princes are concerned, we know very little. However from Finghin MacCarthy Reagh, the 8th Prince of Carbery from 1477 to his death in 1505, a solid genealogy has been determined. Early History of the Cathy familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our Cathy research. Another 127 words (9 lines of text) covering the years 1446, 1455, 1490, 1492, 1562, 1576, 1583, 1585, 1588, 1589, 1591, 1593, 1594, 1596, 1612, 1628, 1640, 1646, 1665, 1668, 1694, 1698, 1733, 1734 and 1769 are included under the topic Early Cathy History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Cathy Spelling VariationsOne explanation for the many variations is that scribes and church officials frequently spelled the name as it sounded: an imprecise method at best. Understandably then, various spellings of the surname Cathy were found in the many archives researched. These included MacCarthy, MacCarty, MacArty, MacArthy and others. Early Notables of the Cathy familyNotable among the family name at this time was Blessed Thaddeus McCarthy (c. 1455-1492), an Irish ecclesiastic who never ruled his see, Bishop of Ross, Ireland in 1492 and Bishop of Cork and Cloyne in 1490, his feast day is 25 October; and Charles MacCarty (Cormac Oge McCarthy), (d. 1640). He was from the ancient line of Dermot McCarthy, King of Munster, and was created the 1st Viscount Muskerry in 1628. His motto was "Forti et fideli nihil difficile, " which translates as "to the strong and faithful, nothing is...
Another 89 words (6 lines of text) are included under the topic Early Cathy Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the Cathy familyMany Irish families boarded ships bound for North America in the middle of 19th century to escape the conditions of poverty and racial discrimination at that time. Although these immigrants often arrived in a destitute state, they went on to make important contributions to the emerging nations of the United States and Canada. An inquiry into many immigration and passenger lists has revealed many early immigrants to North America bearing the Cathy family name: Daniel McCarty, who came to Boston in 1742; David McCarty, who settled in Maryland in 1755; Alexander McCarthy, recorded in the New York Colonial Muster Rolls in 1760.
| Contemporary Notables of the name Cathy (post 1700) | + |
- Samuel Truett Cathy (1921-2014), American founder of Chick-fil-A, an American fast food restaurant chain
- Cathy Merrick (1961-2024), Woods Cree Kameekosit Ispokanee Iskwew, Canadian First Nations leader who was the Grand Chief of the Assembly of Manitoba Chiefs, the first woman to serve the position
- Cathy Moriarty (b. 1960), American actress nominated for a Best Supporting Actress Academy Award for her role in Raging Bull
- Cathy Caruth (b. 1955), American theorist in Trauma Studies
- Cathy Daley (1955-2022), Canadian visual artist and educator located in Toronto, Ontario, her works can be seen in the National Gallery of Canada, Ottawa; Canada Council Art Bank, Ottawa; and The Art Gallery of Ontario, Toronto
- Cathy LaTulipe Phelps, American location manager, known for her work on Fake (2011) and Harvest (2010)
- Cathy Sherk (b. 1950), former Canadian LPGA professional golfer with three professional wins
- Cathy Smalec, American Democratic Party politician, Delegate to Democratic National Convention from Minnesota, 2000 2
- Cathy Stepp (b. 1963), American politician, Wisconsin State Senator-21st District (2003 – 2007)
- Cathy Doman, American politician, Socialist Workers Candidate for Presidential Elector for Michigan, 1988
The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.
Motto: Forti et fideli nihil difficile
Motto Translation: Nothing is difficult to the brave and the faithful
- Smith, George (ed), Dictionary of National Biography. London: Smith, Elder & Co., 1885-1900. Print
- The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, November 3) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
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