McCarthy nicknames

From a Column called Stray Leaves of a Notebook in the Skibbereen Southern Star, dated 8-Feb-1936:

"Of the hereditary nicknames we may look at some attached to the McCarthy, as Reagh (swarthy), Rabagh (overbearing, generous), Crimeen (descendants of the daughter of O'Croimin), Spawnach (Spanish - had spent some time in Spain), Mucklagh (? Much-fhialach - hospitable in pigs), Cawsca (of Easter), Sowney (Samhna, of all Hallowtide), Cunic (of the hill), Tollin (a t-salainn of the salt), Bawny (Canon Lynons says it is bo bhaine, of the white cow, but I am a doubting Didymus), Forshing (Fairsinn, i.e., generous), etc."

According to The Book of Irish Families, Great and Small:

"McCarthy Glas is given in Dunmanway, McCarthy Duna or Dooney is given in Ballyneadig and Lyradane."

On further checking, I learned that "Duna" might be for "Dunmanway."

From Surnames of County Cork by Tim Cadogan:

"The surname Mountain occurring in Griffith's Valuation in the barony of Carbery is an agnomen for O'Donovan or MacCarthy; Crimmeen or Cremin in the same area is a MacCarthy agnomen, occasionally becoming the adopted surname."

From Beara researcher Riobard O'Dwyer:

"The most prominent branch-name here is Beara is ROHANE. "
"The McCarthy-branch name STROCK (found in Glenbeg and Cummeendeach in the Ardgroom district of Eyeries Parish) derives from the Gaelic word STRACAIRE = a big, powerfully built man."

BAWNEE came about because one McCarthy who had been evicted from their farm in the Lauragh district of Tuosist settled elsewhere with a white cow named Bawnee.  This branch settled around Bantry.

There were schoolmasters from the Ardgroom district.  Stephen McCarthy was known as "Master Mac."