Recorded in several spellings including MacCarron, MacCaron, McCarron, McKarron, McKerron, Carron, Kerron, and others, this is an Irish surname. It derives from Mac Carrghamhna, from gamhan meaning a calf. Most Irish surnames originate from a distinctive early chief often a warrior, although it seems unlikely that a warrior would be known as 'The calf.' However this was probably a name of endearment for a younger son, perhaps one who became the chief on the death of an older brother. The main sept of the clan had their territory in County Westmeath, east of the Shannon river. Here in medieval times the chief was known as "Chief of Maol an tSinna" or the chief of the Shannon. In 1578, Hobbert MacCarron of Killenefaghna Westmeath, was recorded as "Chief Serjeant of his nation," and was confirmed in the possession of lands including Kilmacaron which of old had belonged to the nation of Mac Caron. The surname is now mainly associated with Ulster and the counties of Donegal and Derry as confirmed in the famous Census of Ireland in 1659. In 1865, there were forty-eight births registered in Ulster for MacCarron and five for Carron. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Teag Mac Carroon. This was dated circa 1099. in the Annals of the Four Masters, for County Westmeath. Surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation. In England this was sometimes known as the 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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