McCartney (surname)

McCartney (a variant of Macartney or MacCartney) is a surname that originated in Ireland. It is not to be confused with McCarthy, which has different origins.

The McCartneys are a branch of the great family of MacCarthy Mór of Munster, who were Kings of Cork and Princes of Desmond. The fifth son of Cormac Fionn (d. 1248) was Donogh Cartnach who is the ancestor of the McCartneys. Donough Cartnach left 2 sons, the eldest Donal joined Edward Bruce (King of Ireland), brother of Robert the Bruce (King of Scotland). For serving under Robert the Bruce’s standard, Donal received a grant of land in Argylleshire, called ‘Glen Artney’ (grid 56.22 degrees North 4.0 degrees West) from the King of Scotland.

Some of Donal’s descendants later moved to Galloway and settled in Auchinleck in Kirkcudbright, Scotland. In Auchinleck in 1522 a George Macartney married Margaret McCulloch. Their grandson, Bartholomew McCartney had one child, George Macartney (b. 1626). This George Macartney emigrated to Ulster from Scotland. He is the original ancestor of many of the families of Macartney in Ulster and Ireland. He bought the property of Lissanoure in 1649 near Cloughmills, Co. Antrim.