McCord
A surname usually understood as a form of MacCord, probably meaning “son of Cord” or a similar personal-name form.
The #2,019 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 17,272 Americans shares it.
Etymology
McCord is generally treated as an Anglicized form of Gaelic Mac + a personal name, with the prefix Mac meaning “son of.” The excerpted source groups it with forms such as MacCord and MacCourtney, suggesting an underlying Gaelic name that was later reshaped in English spelling. Because the surviving evidence here is brief and partly abbreviated, the exact original personal name is not fully secure.
History
The surname is found in both Ireland and Scotland, and later spread widely in English-speaking countries through migration. In North America it is often written McCord, while older records may also show MacCord. The name has been stable enough to remain relatively common in the United States into the modern period.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The spelling McCord is a classic example of how the Gaelic prefix Mac was often shortened to Mc in later English usage.
From the historical record
“TTlAC CUAjICA, TTlAC CVJAItIC, MeC Court, MacCord, MacCourt- ney ; Courtney. TTlAC Cuilinn, MacCullen, Mac Quillen, Cullen, Quillen; Holly.”
— Sloinnte Gaedheal is Gall: Irish names and surnames