This is a dialectually transposed locational name from a district called Carrick in Ayrshire (Scotland). The name derives from the Gaelic "carraig" meaning "a rock", and is first recorded in the early twelve hundreds. Alternate spellings have included de Carric (1260) and de Carrike (1296). One, John of Carryk, secretary of David II, (1329 - 1371), was appointed Envoy to the King of England in 1360. The spelling Carrig appears in 1554. All these spellings are replaced by Carrick in Arnmoir, parish of Kippen". The name (Mac) Carrick is found in the Irish Provinces of Ulster and Connacht, as an anglicization of the Gaelic name Man (son) Con (hound) Carraigh (a rock). Carreck is a later variant of Carrick. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Duncan Karryc. which was dated 1224 - Witness of a Charter by the Earl of Lennox. during the reign of King Alexander II, of Scotland, 1214 - 1249. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was known as Poll Tax. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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