MacCormack and MacCormick are both derived from Mac Cormaic,from the extremely popular Irish and Scottish personal name Cormac. This popularity meant that the surname arose independently in a large number of places throughout Ireland (and Scotland), and is today widely scattered. It seems likely also that the creation of theses surnames took place at a later date than many of the other native Irish names. The only family of any early consequence were based in Co. Fermanagh, around Kilmacormick, "MacCormack's church", and were a branch of the Maguires. The most famous bearer of the surname is undoubtedly John MacCormack (1885-1945), the operatic and concert tenor, who achieved extraordinary international fame in the first half of this century.