Irish Surname - Carey
The Irish surname Carey is derived from the Gaelic word "O'Ciardha," which means "dark-haired" or "swarthy". The name is commonly found in the province of Munster in Ireland and is particularly common in the counties of Kilkenny, Carlow, and Cork in Ireland, and can also be found in other parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand
People of note with the surname Carey
- Pat Carey - Irish Fianna Fáil politician
- Daniel Carey - Irish hurler from County Limerick
- Samuel Johnson Cary - an Irish artist who was known for his paintings of landscapes and seascapes.
- Joyce Cary - an Irish author who wrote novels, essays, and short stories, and was awarded the James Tait Black Memorial Prize for his book "The Horse's Mouth."
- John Cary - an English cartographer and engraver who produced maps, globes, and atlases in the late 18th and early 19th centuries.
- Kate Carey - an Irish footballer who played for the Republic of Ireland women's national team.
- Mariah Carey - American singer-songwriter and actress
- Drew Carey - American actor and comedian
- Jim Carrey - Canadian actor and comedian
- Hugh Carey - American politician and 51st Governor of New York
Variations of the surname Carey
- Cary - an English variation of Carey.
- Keary - a variation found mainly in County Galway and County Mayo.
- O'Kearney - a variation found mainly in County Cork and County Kerry.
- Cairey, Carie, Carry - variants of Carey
- Carew - Variant of Carey, originating from County Cork
- O'Carey - Variant of Carey, meaning "descendant of Ciardha"
- Carrey - This variation of the name is found mostly in the United States, particularly in the state of Massachusetts.
- Carre - This variation of the name is mostly found in the county of Cork in Ireland.
- Karry - This variation of the name is mostly found in the county of Kilkenny in Ireland.
- Cary - This variation of the name is mostly found in the United States, particularly in the states of North Carolina and Virginia.
Carey Coat of Arms
The Carey coat of arms features a blue shield with a gold engrailed diagonal band, symbolising the power of protection. The crest depicts a naked arm holding a gold garb, which is a symbol of plenty.
Carey Surname Motto
"In Hoc Signo Vinces" translates to "In this sign you shall conquer"Please Note
There is often limited information available on a specific coat of arms and motto for an Irish surname. Sometimes there are many variations, sometimes none, we have compiled a representative, but by no means exhaustive, selection. Please visit our Coat of Arms and Motto page for more information.
DNA And Your Irish Roots
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