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![Show Contents]() O'Carney History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms
Etymology of O'CarneyWhat does the name O'Carney mean? The Irish name O'Carney has a long Gaelic heritage to its credit. Generally, the original Gaelic form of the name O'Carney is said to be Ó Cearnaigh, from the word "cearnach," which means "victorious." 1 However, in some instances, especially the roots of the present day spelling of Kearney, the surname derives from the Gaelic name "Ó Catharnaigh," meaning "warlike." Early Origins of the O'Carney familyThe surname O'Carney was first found in County Mayo (Irish: Maigh Eo) located on the West coast of the Republic of Ireland in the province of Connacht, where they held a family seat from ancient times and were a branch of the Ui Fiachrach. The MacCarney (McCarney) variant is "Mac Cearnaigh and the family was originally seated at Ballymacarney, Co. Meath. According to records from the sixteenth century to the present day it must be regarded as belonging to Ulster: in the Fiants we find a MacCarney among the followers of Rory O'Donnell; in the Hearth Money Rolls of the l660's the name appears frequently in Cos. Monaghan and Armagh; and comparatively recent sources indicate that they are still mainly located in that part of Ulster. It would appear, however, that the prefix Mac has been widely dropped, the name being now registered as Carney or Kearney. Probably the most remarkable person of this name was Susan MacKarney who died in Dublin in 1751 reputedly 120 years of age. She was a beggarwoman who had £250 secreted in the mattress of her death bed." 2 Early History of the O'Carney familyThis web page shows only a small excerpt of our O'Carney research. Another 230 words (16 lines of text) covering the years 1199, 1529, 1539, 1543 and 1721 are included under the topic Early O'Carney History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. O'Carney Spelling VariationsA name was often recorded during the Middle Ages under several different spelling variations during the life of its bearer because literacy was rare there was no real push to clearly define any of the languages found in the British Isles at that time. Variations found of the name O'Carney include Carney, Carnie, McCarney, MacCarney, O'Carney, Kearney and many more. Early Notables of the O'Carney familyProminent amongst the family at this time was Carney of Cashel and John Kearney of Fethard, prominent in court and legal circles in England.
In Scotland, "Patrick Makcarny was one of...
Another 30 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early O'Carney Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible. Migration of the O'Carney familyIn the 19th century, thousands of Irish left their English-occupied homeland for North America. Like most new world settlers, the Irish initially settled on the eastern shores of the continent but began to move westward with the promise of owning land. The height of this Irish migration came during the Great Potato Famine of the late 1840s. With apparently nothing to lose, Irish people left on ships bound for North America and Australia. Unfortunately a great many of these passengers lost their lives - the only thing many had left - to disease, starvation, and accidents during the long and dangerous journey. Those who did safely arrive in "the land of opportunities" were often used for the hard labor of building railroads, coal mines, bridges, and canals. The Irish were critical to the quick development of the infrastructure of the United States and Canada. Passenger and immigration lists indicate that members of the O'Carney family came to North America quite early: William Carney who settled in Virginia in 1650; Timothy Carney settled in Virginia in 1751; Easter Carney settled in Virginia in 1752; Mary Carney settled in Pennsylvania in 1773.
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: Sustine et abstine
Motto Translation: Sustain and abstain.
- MacLysaght, Edward, The Surnames of Ireland. Ireland: Irish Academic Press, sixth edition, 1985. Print. (ISBN 0-7165-2366-3)
- MacLysaght, Edward, Supplement to Irish Families. Baltimore: Genealogical Book Company, 1964. Print.
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