Carroll Surname: Origin and Coat of Arms
What does Carroll mean, and where does it come from? Here is a brief introduction.
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Origin of the Carroll name
Carroll comes from Ó Cearbhaill, "descendant of Cearbhall", a personal name often linked to cearbh, "hacking" or fierce in battle. Several septs bore the name, the best known in Ely O'Carroll on the Offaly–Tipperary border. It remains a common Irish surname at home and abroad.
Our historical archives hold much more on the Carroll name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the Carroll name in Ireland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, England and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
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Carroll name FAQ
What does the Carroll name mean?
Descendant of Cearbhall. Common variants include O'Carroll, Carrol, MacCarroll.
Where does the Carroll surname come from?
It originates in Ireland, and is also found in the United States, England and Australia.
Is there a Carroll coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single Carroll crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized Carroll coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: MacLysaght, The Surnames of Ireland; Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).