Research indicates that this unusual name is a variant alternative of the Gaelic, 'Mac Conncharraigh', a personal compound which translates as 'Hound-Rock' from the pre 10th Century. The modern spellings include Carick and Carrig, the name being as MacCarrick generally from Ulster and Galloway, (Scotland). However, it is also possible that there is a Norman - Breton origin, formely found as 'de Carrig'. The meaning being much the same as 'of the rock' - The Irish origination being from County Limerick and Clare. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Duncan Karryc. which was dated 1224, Charter Witness for the Earl of Lennox. during the reign of King Alexander II, of Scotland, 1216 - 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.