Surname Cosgrive - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Cosgrive: What does the surname Cosgrive mean?
The surname Cosgrive is of Irish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Coscraigh" which means "son of the victorious". Oftentimes, Gaelic surnames represent the patriarch of the family or the profession. In this case, Cosgrive would relate to the son of a person who was triumphant or dominated in battles, emphasizing strength and valiance. It is unclear when or where the name was first used, but it is commonly found in Ireland and amongst individuals of Irish descent in countries like the United States, UK, Australia, and Canada. Like many surnames, the spelling has changed over time and may vary, with common variations including Cosgrave and Cosgrove.
Order DNA origin analysisCosgrive: Where does the name Cosgrive come from?
The surname Cosgrive is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic term "Mac Coscraigh", where "Mac" signifies "son of" and "Coscraigh" is a personal name meaning "victorious". It was a term that was used to denote the descendants of the victorious one. The surname primarily hails from the Munster region of Ireland, concentrated in the county of Kerry.
Pertaining to its concentration today, the surname Cosgrive, like many Irish surnames, has spread all over the world due to historical emigration, especially during times of economic hardship such as the Great Famine in the mid-19th century. Despite its international presence, Cosgrive remains most common in Ireland. It is also prevalent in English-speaking countries, particularly the United States, England, Australia, and New Zealand, where many Irish diaspora communities exist. Please note that the surname can also have different spelling variants, including Cosgrove, which is more common than Cosgrive.
Variations of the surname Cosgrive
The surname Cosgrive is an Anglicized version of an Irish original, so it has numerous variants and similar surnames due to translation and transcription errors over the years.
The most direct Irish original is "Ó Coscraigh," meaning "grandson of Coscrach." It was Anglicized to "O'Cosgrave," "O'Cosgry," or simply "Cosgrave." These names can be found mostly in Leinster, a province in the east of Ireland. The 'O' prefix may sometimes drop, and the 'v' may sometimes be replaced with 'ff' (Cosgriff, Cosgryff).
Similar surnames include Costigan and Cosgrove as well as less common versions like Cusgrave and Cusgrove. There are also a few more distant versions like McCosgrove, MacCosgrove or Mc Cosgrave. The prefix 'Mc' or 'Mac' stands for 'son of,' similar to 'Ó' in Irish.
In conclusion, while Cosgrive itself may be a less common variant, it's part of a family of names originating from the same Gaelic root "Ó Coscraigh."
Famous people with the name Cosgrive
- Miranda Cosgrove: She is an American actress and singer who gained fame as a child for her roles in 'School of Rock' and 'Drake and Josh'. Later, she landed her own show on Nickelodeon, 'iCarly', where she plays the lead role of Carly Shay.
- Tom Cosgrove: Not to be confused with his British namesake: who is a professor: this Tom Cosgrove is known for his work in the baseball circuit of minor leagues. He's an American professional baseball pitcher.
- Maurice Cosgrave: He was a significant political figure in Ireland during the 1980s, having served as a politician in the Fine Gael party.
- Michael Cosgrave: He's a noteworthy Australian historian and professor whose work often emphasizes on Australian and global history.
- Martin Cosgrove: This Martin Cosgrove is a renowned Irish Gaelic footballer who was active during the 1980s.
- Joan Cosgrove: She was a well-known British actress and singer, known for her appearances in films like 'The Saint in London' (1939) and 'High Street' (1933). Note: The spelling of the last name varies between 'Cosgrove' and 'Cosgrive'. All the listed personalities bear the 'Cosgrove' spelling.