The Carey Family History

What Does the Carey Surname Mean? Historical Origins Explained

The surname Carey, of Irish origin, derives from the Old French word ‘kari,’ which translates to a delightful stream. This surname exhibits several spelling variations, including Kari, Kary, Cary, Mac Cary, Carrey, Carew, and Cairy. In German, the name can be rendered as Gehring or Gehrig. In England, individuals bearing the Carey surname have historically been concentrated in the Channel Islands, located between England and France. Additionally, substantial populations can be found in the counties of Lancashire, Yorkshire, Somerset, as well as in London, Essex, Kent, and Surrey. In Scotland, the surname is prevalent in the central and southern regions, particularly in Angus, Lanarkshire, Midlothian, Renfrewshire, Ayrshire, Wigtownshire, and Perthshire. In the United States, the Carey surname appears prominently in states such as Massachusetts, Pennsylvania, New York, New Jersey, Ohio, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri, and California. Noteworthy individuals with this surname include Andy Carey, a professional baseball player; Brian David Carey, an Irish footballer and coach; Duane G. Carey, an astronaut; William P. Carey, founder of W. LLC, a real estate financing firm; Drew Carey, a comedian, actor, and television host; George R. Carey, a 19th-century inventor known for his work with photo-electric properties in image transmission; Henry Carey, an 18th-century poet and songwriter recognized for his composition of ‘God Save the King / Queen’; Jim Carey, a professional ice hockey player; and Peter Carey, an acclaimed novelist.