Carter is a

family name In many societies, a surname, family name, or last name is the mostly hereditary portion of one's personal name that indicates one's family. It is typically combined with a given name to form the full name of a person, although several give ...

, and also may be a

given name A given name (also known as a forename or first name) is the part of a personal name quoted in that identifies a person, potentially with a middle name as well, and differentiates that person from the other members of a group (typically a f ...

. Carter is of Irish, Scottish and English origin and is an occupational name given to one who transports goods by cart or wagon and ultimately of Celtic derivation from the word "cairt" meaning cart, which is still used in Gaelic. This Celtic term has roots in the

Proto-Indo-European Proto-Indo-European (PIE) is the reconstructed common ancestor of the Indo-European language family. No direct record of Proto-Indo-European exists; its proposed features have been derived by linguistic reconstruction from documented Indo-Euro ...

word "kars" or "kart", which referred to a wheeled vehicle. It may also appear as an English reduced form of the Irish and Scottish Gaelic derived McCarter or the Scottish-Gaelic Mac Artair with Mc meaning "son of." Its appearance and pronunciation as Carter may also be the Anglicized form of the Irish Mac Artúir, Cuirtéir, Cartúir, Cartúr, or Ó Cuirtéir. The name is also related to the

Latin Latin ( or ) is a classical language belonging to the Italic languages, Italic branch of the Indo-European languages. Latin was originally spoken by the Latins (Italic tribe), Latins in Latium (now known as Lazio), the lower Tiber area aroun ...

''carettarius'' meaning "cart driver" which was influenced by Celtic terminology and evolved into Norman French as "caretier." In Gaelic, the word "cairt" retained the meaning of "cart," and is used in a context that was familiar to and influenced by its earlier Celtic roots. In

England England is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is located on the island of Great Britain, of which it covers about 62%, and List of islands of England, more than 100 smaller adjacent islands. It ...

, the earliest recorded use of the surname Carter dates back to 1192–1193, as evidenced by the entry of Norman

knight A knight is a person granted an honorary title of a knighthood by a head of state (including the pope) or representative for service to the monarch, the church, or the country, especially in a military capacity. The concept of a knighthood ...

Rannulf le Caretier in the

Pipe Rolls The Pipe rolls, sometimes called the Great rollsBrown ''Governance'' pp. 54–56 or the Great Rolls of the Pipe, are a collection of financial records maintained by the English Exchequer, or Treasury, and its successors, as well as the Exche ...

Huntingdonshire Huntingdonshire (; abbreviated Hunts) is a local government district in Cambridgeshire, England, which was historically a county in its own right. It borders Peterborough to the north, Fenland to the north-east, East Cambridgeshire to the e ...

. This record appears during the reign of King Richard I, also known as Richard the Lionheart who ruled from 1189 to 1199. Close to a century later, on the Hundred Rolls of 1273, a census of

Wales Wales ( ) is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It is bordered by the Irish Sea to the north and west, England to the England–Wales border, east, the Bristol Channel to the south, and the Celtic ...

and England, includes six early bearers of the surname: Jocius Catetarius in Oxfordshire, Juliana le Cartere in Cambridgeshire, Nicholas le Carter in Oxfordshire, John le Cartere in Norfolk, Robert le Caretter in Huntingdonshire, and Margaret le Careter in Huntingdonshire. The Poll Tax of Yorkshire from 1379 lists Richardus Carter as another bearer of the surname in an Anglicized form. Following the

Norman invasion of Ireland The Anglo-Norman invasion of Ireland took place during the late 12th century, when Anglo-Normans gradually conquered and acquired large swathes of land in Ireland over which the monarchs of England then claimed sovereignty. The Anglo-Normans ...

in the 1100s,

Roman Catholic The Catholic Church (), also known as the Roman Catholic Church, is the largest Christian church, with 1.27 to 1.41 billion baptized Catholics worldwide as of 2025. It is among the world's oldest and largest international institut ...

English derived Carter's also arrived in Ireland and settled into walled towns established by the Normans. These

Anglo-Normans The Anglo-Normans (, ) were the medieval ruling class in the Kingdom of England following the Norman Conquest. They were primarily a combination of Normans, Bretons, Flemings, French people, Frenchmen, Anglo-Saxons and Celtic Britons. Afte ...

assimilated into Irish culture, adopting Irish Gaelic customs, language, and religion, becoming what is referred to in Irish historiography as " more Irish than the Irish themselves." The later English and Scottish Protestant planter settlers in Ireland who arrived between the

1550s The 1550s decade ran from January 1, 1550, to December 31, 1559. References

{{DEFAULTSORT:1550s 1550s, ...

and 1700 and mainly settled in

Ulster Ulster (; or ; or ''Ulster'') is one of the four traditional or historic provinces of Ireland, Irish provinces. It is made up of nine Counties of Ireland, counties: six of these constitute Northern Ireland (a part of the United Kingdom); t ...

during the

plantation of Ulster The Plantation of Ulster (; Ulster Scots dialects, Ulster Scots: ) was the organised Settler colonialism, colonisation (''Plantation (settlement or colony), plantation'') of Ulstera Provinces of Ireland, province of Irelandby people from Great ...

, established the Ulster Protestant community and remained a distinct class and group. The

Statutes of Kilkenny The Statutes of Kilkenny were a series of thirty-five acts enacted by the Parliament of Ireland at Kilkenny in 1366, aiming to curb the decline of the Hiberno-Norman Lordship of Ireland. Background to the statutes By the middle decades of the ...

in 1366, which aimed to curb the decline of the Hiberno-Norman Lordship of Ireland, established that every Englishman or Irish living amongst the English use the English language and adopt English naming and customs or be thrown in jail and lose property. It was declared for those Irish living in The Pale, to take an English surname either after a town, colour, trade, or office which also contributed to the proliferation of Anglo and Anglicized surnames. Today, Carter is the 44th most common surname in the

United States The United States of America (USA), also known as the United States (U.S.) or America, is a country primarily located in North America. It is a federal republic of 50 U.S. state, states and a federal capital district, Washington, D.C. The 48 ...

and 56th most common in

. In

Ireland Ireland (, ; ; Ulster Scots dialect, Ulster-Scots: ) is an island in the North Atlantic Ocean, in Northwestern Europe. Geopolitically, the island is divided between the Republic of Ireland (officially Names of the Irish state, named Irelan ...

it is ranked between McGarry and

Cannon A cannon is a large-caliber gun classified as a type of artillery, which usually launches a projectile using explosive chemical propellant. Gunpowder ("black powder") was the primary propellant before the invention of smokeless powder during th ...

where it is found with greatest frequency in County Laois as the 70th most common surname and also has significant presence in

Dublin Dublin is the capital and largest city of Republic of Ireland, Ireland. Situated on Dublin Bay at the mouth of the River Liffey, it is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Leinster, and is bordered on the south by the Dublin Mountains, pa ...

, Cork, and

Limerick Limerick ( ; ) is a city in western Ireland, in County Limerick. It is in the Provinces of Ireland, province of Munster and is in the Mid-West Region, Ireland, Mid-West which comprises part of the Southern Region, Ireland, Southern Region. W ...

. In

Scotland Scotland is a Countries of the United Kingdom, country that is part of the United Kingdom. It contains nearly one-third of the United Kingdom's land area, consisting of the northern part of the island of Great Britain and more than 790 adjac ...

it is found with greatest frequency in the

Outer Hebrides The Outer Hebrides ( ) or Western Isles ( , or ), sometimes known as the Long Isle or Long Island (), is an Archipelago, island chain off the west coast of mainland Scotland. It is the longest archipelago in the British Isles. The islan ...

. The Carter surname was forced upon

African Americans African Americans, also known as Black Americans and formerly also called Afro-Americans, are an American racial and ethnic group that consists of Americans who have total or partial ancestry from any of the Black racial groups of Africa ...

as formerly enslaved people lost their family names long before the

Emancipation Emancipation generally means to free a person from a previous restraint or legal disability. More broadly, it is also used for efforts to procure Economic, social and cultural rights, economic and social rights, civil and political rights, po ...

and 13th Amendment to their masters (who were typically of English or Scottish descent), or through the common mixing found between Irish immigrants and free African Americans in Northern cities and communities such as Five Points and Seneca Village in

New York City New York, often called New York City (NYC), is the most populous city in the United States, located at the southern tip of New York State on one of the world's largest natural harbors. The city comprises five boroughs, each coextensive w ...

and elsewhere in the United States. This name is common among African Americans capable of tracing their roots back to the

southern United States The Southern United States (sometimes Dixie, also referred to as the Southern States, the American South, the Southland, Dixieland, or simply the South) is List of regions of the United States, census regions defined by the United States Cens ...

Caribbean The Caribbean ( , ; ; ; ) is a region in the middle of the Americas centered around the Caribbean Sea in the Atlantic Ocean, North Atlantic Ocean, mostly overlapping with the West Indies. Bordered by North America to the north, Central America ...

from the early 20th century and prior, with some 35% of name holders of Carter in the United States being of African-American descent and it being the 22nd most common surname for Black Americans.

People with the surname

A

* Aaron Carter (1987–2022), American musician * Abdul Carter (born 2004), American football player * Ad Carter (1895–1957), American comic strip cartoonist * Adam Carter (footballer) (born 1994), Australian rules footballer from Western Australia * Adrian Carter (born 1959), British architect * Aimee Carter (born 1986), American writer * Al Carter, (born 1952), American journalist * Alan Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Albert Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Alex Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Alfred Williams Carter (1894–1986), Canadian flying ace * Ali Carter (born 1979), English professional snooker player * Allen 'Big Al' Carter (1947–2008), American artist * Ally Carter (born 1974), American author *

Amanda Carter Amanda Carter (born 16 July 1964) is an Australian Paralympic wheelchair basketball player. Diagnosed with transverse myelitis at the age of 24, she began playing wheelchair basketball in 1991 and participated in the Australia women's nationa ...

(born 1964), Australian Paralympic basketball player * Amon G. Carter (1879–1955), publisher of the newspaper ''Fort Worth Star-Telegram'' * Amy Carter (born 1967), youngest child of former U.S. president Jimmy Carter and his wife, Rosalynn * Amy Carter (politician), American politician * Andre Carter (born 1979), American football player * Andre Carter II (born 2000), American football player * Andrew Carter (disambiguation), multiple people *

Angela Carter Angela Olive Pearce (formerly Carter, Stalker; 7 May 1940 – 16 February 1992), who published under the name Angela Carter, was an English novelist, short story writer, poet, and journalist, known for her feminist, magical realism, and picar ...

(1940–1992), English novelist and journalist *

Anita Carter Ina Anita Carter (March 31, 1933 – July 29, 1999) was an American singer who played upright bass, guitar, and autoharp. She performed with her sisters, Helen and June, and her mother, Maybelle, initially under the name The Carter Sisters a ...

(1933–1999), American singer-songwriter * Ann Carter (1936–2014), American actress * Ann Carter (rioter) (died 1629), English activist * Anne Hill Carter Lee, (1773–1829), American, mother of Confederate General Robert E. Lee * Anson Carter (born 1974), Canadian professional ice hockey player * Anthony Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * A. P. Carter (1891–1960), American country music musician, founder of the Carter Family musical group * April Carter, British academic and political activist * Arnold Carter (1918–1989), American baseball player * Asa Earl Carter (1925–1979), American speechwriter; novelist under the pseudonym Forrest Carter * Ash Carter (1954–2022), American physicist, Harvard University professor, and US Secretary of Defense * Ashley Carter (born 1995), English footballer

B

* Barrett Carter (born 2002), American football player * Barry White (born Barry Eugene Carter, 1944–2003), American soul and disco singer * Ben Carter (actor) (1910–1946), American actor and casting agent *

Ben Carter (basketball) Ben Joshua Carter (Hebrew language, Hebrew: בן קרטר; born August 22, 1994) is an American-Israeli basketball player who plays for Maccabi Tel Aviv B.C., Maccabi Tel Aviv of the Israel Basketball Premier League and the EuroLeague. He plays ...

(born 1994), American-Israeli basketball player in the Israel Basketball Premier League * Benny Carter (1907–2003), American jazz musician * Benny Carter (painter) (1943–2014), American folk artist * Bernard Carter (banker) (1893–1961), American soldier and banker * Betty Carter (1930–1998), American jazz singer * Bill Carter (born 1966), American writer and documentary director * Billy Carter (1937–1988), American younger brother of U.S. president Jimmy Carter * Billy Carter (ice hockey) (1937–2024), Canadian ice hockey player * Blue Ivy Carter (born 2012), daughter of

Beyoncé Beyoncé Giselle Knowles-Carter ( ; born September 4, 1981) is an American singer, songwriter, actress, and businesswoman. With a career spanning over three decades, she has established herself as one of the most Cultural impact of Beyoncé, ...

and

Jay-Z Shawn Corey Carter (born December 4, 1969), known professionally as Jay-Z, is an American Rapping, rapper, businessman, and record executive. Rooted in East Coast hip-hop, he was named Billboard and Vibe's 50 Greatest Rappers of All Time, the ...

* Bo Carter (1893–1964), American blues musician * Bob Carter (cricketer, born 1937), English cricketer for Worcestershire * Bob Carter (musician) (1922–1993), American jazz bassist and arranger * Bobby Carter (1939–2015), American politician in Tennessee * Boo Carter (born 2005), American football player *

Brandon Carter Brandon Carter, (born 1942) is an Australian theoretical physics, theoretical physicist who explores the properties of black holes, and was the first to name and employ the anthropic principle in its contemporary form. He is a researcher at t ...

(born 1942), Australian theoretical physicist noted for work on the properties of black holes * Brandon Carter (American football) (born 1986), American footballer and wrestler known as ''TAC'' * Brett Carter (politician) (born 1972), American politician * Brett Carter (rugby league) (born 1989), British rugby league footballer * Bruce Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Buddy Carter (born 1957), American Congressman from Georgia * Bunchy Carter (1942–1969), American activist in the Black Panther Party

C

* Carl Carter (1964–2019), American footballer *

Carlene Carter Carlene Carter (born Rebecca Carlene Smith; September 26, 1955) is an American country music singer and songwriter. She is the daughter of June Carter Cash and her first husband, Carl Smith (country musician), Carl Smith. Since 1978, Carter has ...

(born 1955), American country singer-songwriter * Carol Ann Carter, American artist * Cedric Carter, British clinical geneticist * Cethan Carter (born 1995), American football player * Chance Carter (born 2001), Canadian soccer player * Charles Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Chennedy Carter (born 1998), American basketball player * Chesley William Carter (1902–1994), Canadian Member of Parliament and senator * Chris Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Clarence Carter (born 1936), American singer and musician * Clarence Holbrook Carter (1904–2000), American painter * Claude Carter (1881–1952), South African cricketer *

Clifford Carter Clifford Carter (born August 10, 1952) is an American keyboardist, musical director, composer and arranger. Carter is known for his performances with such artists as James Taylor, Bruce Springsteen, Paul Simon, Rosanne Cash, Michael Franks (mus ...

(born 1952), American keyboardist * Clive Carter, British actor and singer * Colin Carter, Canadian economist * Cris Carter (born 1965), American football wide receiver * Curtis L. Carter (born 19??), American? academic * Cynthia Carter (born 1959), British academic, writer and feminist

D

* Dale Carter (born 1969), American football cornerback * Dan Carter (born 1982), New Zealand rugby player * Daniel Carter (disambiguation), multiple people, several other people * Danielle Carter (actress), Australian actress * Danielle Carter (footballer) (born 1993), English footballer * Darrell Carter (born 1967), English cricketer * Darren Carter (born 1983), English football player * Darren Carter (comedian), American actor and stand-up comedian * Darren Carter (rugby league) (born 1972), British rugby league footballer * Daryl Carter (born 1975), American football linebacker * Dave Carter (1952–2002), American folk singer and songwriter * David Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Davy Carter (born 1975), American politician in Arkansas * Dean Carter (born 1955), American convicted spree-killer * Deana Carter (born 1966), American singer-songwriter of country music * Dennis Malone Carter (18??–1881), Irish-born American artist who painted portraits and historical settings * DeQuece Carter (born 2001), American football player * Derrick Carter (born 1969), American house producer and DJ * Derrick Carter (footballer) (born 1982), Guyanese international footballer *

Desmond Carter Herbert Desmond Carter (15 June 1895 – 3 February 1939) was a British lyricist who worked with George and Ira Gershwin, Ivor Novello, and others, and also wrote one of the first English language versions of the notorious "suicide song", " ...

(1895–1939), British lyricist * Desmond Keith Carter (1967–2002), American who was executed in North Carolina for a 1992 murder * DeWayne Carter (born 2000), American football player * Devin Carter (born 2002), American basketball player * Dexter Carter (born 1967), American football running back * Dick Carter (1916–1969), American baseball player and manager *

Dixie Carter Dixie Virginia Carter (May 25, 1939 – April 10, 2010) was an American actress. She starred as Julia Sugarbaker on the sitcom ''Designing Women'' (1986–1993) and as Randi King on the drama series ''Family Law (American TV series), Family La ...

(1939–2010), American actress * Dixie Carter (wrestling) (born 1964), American wrestling promoter * Dominic Carter (journalist), American news reporter and political commentator * Don Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Donna Carter (2018), Trinidadian politician and diplomat * Doris Carter (1912–1999), Australian high jumper and discus thrower * Dorothy Carter (1935–2003), American musician * Douglas Carter (1908–1988), New Zealand politician * Douglas F. Carter, Canadian-born Californian politician * Duane Carter (1913–1993), American racecar driver in the Indianapolis 500 * Dudley C. Carter (1891–1991), Canadian-American woodcarver * Duncan Carter-Campbell of Possil (1911–1990), Scottish Soldier * Dwayne Michael Carter Jr. (born 1982), rapper known as "Lil Wayne"

E

* Earl Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Edith Carter (), English actress and playwright * Edmund Carter (cricketer, born 1785) (1785–?), English cricketer * Edmund Carter (cricketer, born 1845) (1845–1923), English cricketer * Edward Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Edwin Carter (1900), American naturalist * Edwin Carter (pseudonym) (1962–2006), pseudonym of British-Russian defector and former officer of the Russian FSB Alexander Litvinenko * E. Finley Carter, director/president of SRI International from 1956 to 1963 * Elizabeth Carter (1717–1806), English poet, classicist, writer and translator * Ellen Carter (1762–1815), English artist and illustrator * Elliott Carter (1908–2012), American classical music composer * Eric Carter (BMX rider) (born 1970), American BMX racer * Eric Carter (Canadian football) (born 1969), American football player * Ernest Carter (drummer) (born 1952), American drummer * Ernest Trow Carter (1866–1953), American organist and composer * Ethan Carter III (born 1983), ring name of American professional wrestler Michael Hutter

F

* Finn Carter (born 1960), American actress * Forrest Carter, pseudonym of Asa Earl Carter * Frances Ann Tasker Carter (1738–1787), wife of Robert Carter, wealthy Virginia plantation owner * Francis Carter (priest) (1851–1935), British Anglican priest * Francis John Carter (1869–1949), New Zealand sawmiller * Frank Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Fred Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Freddy Carter (born 1993), English actor

G

Gary Carter Gary Edmund Carter (April 8, 1954 – February 16, 2012) was an American professional baseball catcher whose 19-year Major League Baseball (MLB) career was spent primarily with the Montreal Expos and New York Mets. Nicknamed "Kid" for his youth ...

(1954–2012), American professional baseball player * Geoff Carter (1943–2018), English footballer * George Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Gerald Carter (born 1957), American football wide receiver * Gerald Emmett Carter (1912–2003), Cardinal Archbishop of Toronto * Glenn Carter (born 1964), English stage actor and singer–songwriter * Gloria Carter Spann (1926–1990), motorcyclist and sister of Jimmy Carter * G. R. Carter (born 1968), American Quarter Horse Jockey * Granville Carter, (1920–1992) American sculptor. Nicknamed "Dany Carter" * Graydon Carter (born 1949), Canadian-born American journalist * Greg Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * G. S. Carter (1910–1988), New Zealand surveyor and road engineer

H

* H. Adams Carter (1914–1995), American linguist, mountaineer and editor of the American Alpine Journal * Hamish Carter (born 1971), New Zealand triathlete * Harold Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Harry Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Hazel Carter (writer) (1894–1918), American who stowed away on a ship to France during WWI to be with her husband * H. E. Carter (1910–2007), American biochemist *

Helen Carter Helen Myrl Carter Jones (September 12, 1927 – June 2, 1998) was an American country music singer. The eldest daughter of Maybelle Carter, she performed with her mother and her younger sisters, June Carter and Anita Carter, as a member of ...

(1927–1998), American country singer * Helena Carter (1923–2000), American actress * Helena Bonham Carter (born 1966), British actress * Henry Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Herbert Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Hodding Carter (1907–1972), American journalist and author * Hodding Carter III (1935–2023), American journalist and politician * Howard Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Howie Carter (1904–1991), American baseball player John Howard Carter * Hugh Carter (1920–1999), American politician * Hykeem Carter (born 2000), American rapper known as "Baby Keem"

I

* Ian Carter (born 1967), British-born Canadian soccer player

J

* Jack Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Jalen Carter (born 2001), American football player * Jamal Carter (born 1994), American football player * James Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Janette Carter (1923–2006), American musician * Janis Carter (1913–1994), American actress * Jared Carter (Latter Day Saints) (1801–1849), American religious leader *

Jared Carter (poet) Jared Carter (born January 10, 1939) is an American poet and editor. Life Carter was born in a small Midwestern town that is noted for having been the birthplace of Wendell Willkie, the Republican presidential candidate in 1940. Carter grew up ...

(born 1939), American poet * Jason Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Javier Carter (born 1991), Panamanian basketball player * Ja'Tyre Carter (born 1999), American football player * Jeff Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Jenny Carter (born 1931), Canadian politician, former cabinet minister * Jermaine Carter (born 1995), American football player * Jerome Carter (born 1982), American football safety * Jerome Carter (athlete) (born 1963), American high jumper, former co-American record holder, 1988 * Jess Carter (born 1997), British footballer * Jesse F. Carter (1873–1943), American associate justice of the South Carolina Supreme Court * Jesse W. Carter (1888–1959), American associate justice of the California Supreme Court * Jessika Carter (born 1999), American basketball player * Jevon Carter (born 1995), American basketball player * Jill Carter-Hansen (née Carter, born 1941), New Zealand-born illustrator, author and filmmaker * Jill P. Carter (born 1964), American politician in Maryland *Jim Carter – see James Carter (disambiguation), multiple people *

Jimmy Carter James Earl Carter Jr. (October 1, 1924December 29, 2024) was an American politician and humanitarian who served as the 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981. A member of the Democratic Party (United States), Democratic Party ...

(1924–2024), 39th president of the United States from 1977 to 1981 * Joan Carter (born 1943), American businesswoman and philanthropist * Joanne Carter (born 1980), Australian figure skating Olympian *Joe Carter - see Joseph Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * John Carter (disambiguation), multiple people, including people named Johnny Carter * Jon Carter (born 1970), English DJ and businessman * Jon Carter (American football) (born 1965), American football defensive lineman * Jonathan Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Jordan Carter (born 1996), American rapper known as "Playboi Carti" * Joseph Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Josiah Carter (1813–1868), American politician * J. P. Carter (1915–2000), American military officer and politician * June Carter (1929–2003), American country singer, wife of Johnny Cash * Justin Carter (born 1987), American basketball player

K

* Kahurangi Carter, New Zealand politician * Kayli Carter, American actress * Keith Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Kenneth Carter (disambiguation), multiple people, also includes people named Ken or Kenny Carter * Kent Carter (born 1939), American jazz bassist * Kent Carter (gridiron football) (born 1950), American football player * Kerry Carter (born 1980), Trinidadian-born gridiron football fullback * Kevin Carter (1961–1994), South African photojournalist * Kevin Carter (American football) (born 1973), American National Football League player * Kid Carter (), American baseball player * Kim Carter, Canadian public servant * Kristopher Carter (born 1972), American composer * Kyle Carter (born 1992), American football tight end * Kym Carter (born 1964), American heptathlete

L

* Lance Carter (born 1974), American baseball player * Lance Carter (musician) (1955–2006), American jazz drummer * Landon Carter (1710–1778), Virginia planter * Larry Carter (born 1965), American baseball player * Laura Carter (actress) (born 1985), English actress and model * Laura Carter (musician), American multi-instrumentalist musician * Lee Carter (comics), 21st century British concept and comics artist *Lee Carter (born 1971), better known as

Viper Vipers are snakes in the family Viperidae, found in most parts of the world, except for Antarctica, Australia, Hawaii, Madagascar, New Zealand, Ireland, and various other isolated islands. They are venomous and have long (relative to non-vipe ...

, American rapper *Les Carter (born 1958), better known as Fruitbat, English musician * Les Carter (footballer) (born 1960), English footballer * Leslie Carter (1986–2012), American pop singer * Mrs. Leslie Carter (1862–1937), American actress * Lillian Gordy Carter (1898–1983), known as "Miss Lillian", mother of former U.S. president Jimmy Carter * Lin Carter (1930–1988), American science fiction/fantasy author and editor * Linda Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Lorenzo Carter (1767–1814), early American community leader * Lorenzo Carter (American football) (born 1995), American football player * Louis Carter (1953–2020), American football running back * Lyle Carter (born 1945), Canadian ice hockey and softball player * Lynda Carter (born 1951), American television actress and singer of cabarets * Lynne Carter (1985), American entertainer, actor and female impersonator

M

* Mandy Carter (activist) (born 1948), American LGBT activist * Mark Carter (footballer) (born 1960), English footballer * Mark Carter (rugby) (born 1968), New Zealand rugby union and rugby league footballer * Martin Carter (1927–1997), Guyanese poet * Marty Carter (born 1969), American football safety * Mary Kennedy Carter (1934–2010), American social studies teacher and civil rights activist * Matt Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Maurice Carter (basketball) (born 1976), American former professional basketball player * Maurice Carter (film designer) (1913–2000), British film production designer * Maurice Carter (racing driver), Canadian racer * Maybelle Carter (1909–1978), American country music musician * Megan Carter (born 2001), Canadian ice hockey player * Mel Carter (born 1939), American singer and actor * Melvin Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Merri Sue Carter (born 1964), American astronomer * Michael Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Michelle Carter (athlete) (born 1985), American shot putter * Iris Kyle (born Mildred Carter; 1974), American professional bodybuilder * Ming Veevers-Carter, English florist * Murray Carter, (born 1931) Australian racing driver

N

* Nathan Carter (born 1990), Irish country singer * Neal Carter (mountaineer) (1902–1978), Canadian mountaineer * Neil Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Nell Carter (1948–2003), American singer and actress * Nelson Victor Carter (1887–1916), English recipient of the Victoria Cross * Nick Carter (disambiguation), multiple people, includes people named Nicholas Carter *

Nigel Carter Nigel Denys Carter CEnv Energy Institute, FEI Institute of Environmental Management and Assessment, MIEMA (born April 1945) is an English people, English Chartered Environmentalist, politician, member of the Devizes Guardians party since 2002, and ...

(born 1947), English environmentalist and politician * Nina Carter (born 1952), British model * Norah Carter (1881–1966), New Zealand photographer

O

* Oliver Jesse Carter (1911–1976), American federal judge * Orrin N. Carter (1854–1928), American state judge

P

* Pamela Carter (born 1949), American lawyer; Indiana Attorney General (1993–97) * Pat Carter (born 1966), American football tight end * Patrick Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Paul Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Paula Carter (1940–2001), American politician from Missouri * Perry Carter (born 1971), American football defensive back * Peter Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Philip Carter (1927–2015), Scottish-born football director * Phillip Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Pip Carter, English actor

Q

* Quincy Carter (born 1977), American professional football player

R

* Raich Carter (1913–1994), English footballer and cricketer * Ralph Carter (born 1961), American actor * Raymond Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Reggie Carter (1957–1999), American baseball player * Regina Carter (born 1966), American jazz violinist * Reginald Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Rich Carter (born 1971), American chemistry professor * Richard Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Rick Carter (born 1952), American production designer and art director * Rob Carter (born 1949), American professor of typographer and graphic design * Robert Carter (disambiguation), multiple people, includes people named Bob Carter * Rod Carter (born 1954), Australian rules football from Victoria * Rodney Carter (born 1964), American football running back * Roger Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Ron Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Ronan Carter (born 1996), English actor * Ron'Dell Carter (born 1997), American football player * Rosalynn Carter (1927–2023), First Lady of the United States, wife of Jimmy Carter * Ross Carter (1914–2002), American footballer * Roy Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Rubin Carter (1937–2014), American-Canadian boxer wrongfully convicted of murder * Rubin Carter (American football) (born 1952), American football defensive tackle * Russell Carter (American football) (born 1962), American footballer * Russell Carter (basketball) (born 1985), American basketball player * Russell Gordon Carter (1892–1957), American author * Ruth E. Carter, American costume designer * Ryan Carter (born 1983), American ice hockey player

S

* Sam Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Sammy Carter (1878–1948), English-born Australian cricketer * Samuel Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Sara Carter (1898–1979), American country music musician * Sarah Carter (born 1980), Canadian actress * Scott Carter (Australia rugby league), Australian rugby league footballer who played in the 1980s and 1990s * Scott Carter (sports administrator), New Zealand sports administrator * Shawn Carter (born 1969), American rapper better known as

* Shayne Carter (born 1964), New Zealand rock singer * Shonie Carter (born 1972), American mixed martial artist * Shy Carter (born 1984), American songwriter, record producer and singer * Sol Carter (1908–2006), American baseball pitcher * Sonny Carter (1947–1991), American physician, astronaut, naval officer and professional soccer player * Stacy Carter (born 1970), known as Miss Kitty or The Kat, American professional wrestler * Stephen Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Steve Carter (disambiguation), multiple people, includes people named Steven Carter * Sue Carter (born 1956), Australian politician * Sydney Carter (1915–2004), English poet and songwriter: "Lord of the Dance"

T

* Terry Carter (1928–2024), American actor and filmmaker * Thomas Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Tim Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Timothy Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * T. J. Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Toby Carter (1910–1988), New Zealand surveyor and road engineer * Todd Carter (born 1986), American football placekicker * Tom Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Tony Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Tory Carter (born 1999), American football player * Troy Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Tyler Carter (born 1991), American singer-songwriter * Tyler Carter (alpine skier) (born 1994), American para-alpine skier * Tyron Carter (born 1985), French singer and rapper * Tyrone Carter (born 1976), American football defensive back * Tyrone Carter (politician) (born 1962), American politician in Michigan

V

* Valerie Carter (1952–2017), American singer-songwriter * Vednita Carter, 21st century American anti-prostitution activist and author *

Vince Carter Vincent Lamar Carter Jr. (born January 26, 1977) is an American former professional basketball player who played for 22 seasons in the National Basketball Association (NBA). He primarily played the shooting guard and small forward positions, b ...

(born 1977), American professional basketball player * Vincent Carter (1891–1972), American congressman from Wyoming * Virgil Carter (born 1945), American football quarterback * Virginia Carter (1936–2024), Canadian physicist and entertainment executive * Vivian Carter (1921–1989), American record company executive and radio dj * Vivien Carter, Australian actress, singer and dancer

W

* Wally Carter (1909–2001), Australian rules football player and coach from Victoria * Wally Carter (footballer, born 1898) (1898–1970), Australian rules footballer from Victoria * Walter C. Carter (1929–2002), Canadian Member of Parliament *

Walter E. Carter Jr. Walter Edward "Ted" Carter Jr. (born 4 November 1959) is an American academic administrator and retired United States Navy Vice admiral (United States), vice admiral. He has been serving as the 17th and current president of Ohio State University ...

, American vice admiral * Walter P. Carter (1923–1971), American civil rights activist in Baltimore * Wendell Carter Jr., American basketball player for the Orlando Magic * Wil Carter (born 1988), American basketball player * Wilf Carter (footballer) (1933–2013), English footballer * Wilf Carter (musician) (1904–1996), Canadian musician * Wilfred Carter (1896–1975), English cricketer and footballer * William Carter (disambiguation), multiple people * Willoughby Harcourt Carter (1822–1900), first appointed Chief Constable of Buckinghamshire * Wilson Carter, Scottish footballer in the 1960s * Winifred Carter (1949), English author and playwright

X

* Xavier Carter (born December 1985), American athlete

Y

* Yannick Carter (born 1984), Canadian football linebacker * Yvonne Carter (1959–2009), British doctor and Dean of Warwick Medical School

Z

* Zachary Carter (born 1999), American football player * Zilford Carter (1899–1963), lawyer and state legislator in Indiana

People with the given name

* Carter Baumler (born 2002), American baseball player * Carter Bear (born 2006), Canadian ice hockey player * Carter Beauford (born 1957), American drummer and founding member of the Dave Matthews Band * Carter Blackburn (born 1979), American sportscaster * Carter Bradley (born 2000), American football player * Carter Braxton (1736–1797), American signer of the Declaration of Independence, representative of Virginia * Carter Moore Braxton (1836–1896), American civil engineer, businessman, and soldier * Carter Burwell (born 1955), American composer of film soundtracks * Carter Camp (1941–2013),

American Indian Movement The American Indian Movement (AIM) is an Native Americans in the United States, American Indian grassroots movement which was founded in Minneapolis, Minnesota in July 1968, initially centered in urban areas in order to address systemic issues ...

activist who played a leading role in the 1972 Trail of Broken Treaties. *Carter Camper (born 1988), American ice hockey player *Carter Coughlin (born 1997), American football player *Carter Eckert (1945–2024), American historian *Carter Glass (1858–1946), American politician from Virginia *Carter Harrison III (1825–1893), assassinated mayor of Chicago *Carter Harrison IV (1860–1953), mayor of Chicago *Carter Bassett Harrison (1808), American politician from Virginia, brother of U.S. president William Henry Harrison *Carter Hart (born 1998), Canadian ice hockey goaltender *Carter Jenkins (born 1991), American actor, starred in ''Surface (2005 TV series), Surface'' *Carter B. Magruder (1900–1988), United States Army general *Carter Nelson (born 2005), American football player *Carter O'Donnell (born 1998), American football player *Carter Page (born 1971), American petroleum industry consultant and a former foreign-policy adviser to Donald Trump *Carter Revard (1931–2022), American writer and poet *Carter Rubin (born 2005), American singer *Carter Stanley (1925–1966), American bluegrass musician; one of The Stanley Brothers *Carter Verhaeghe (born 1995), Canadian ice hockey player *Carter Warren (born 1999), American football player *Carter G. Woodson (1875–1950), American historian, author, journalist, founder of Black History Month

Fictional characters

Given name

*Carter (Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles), Carter (''Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles''), a character from the Teenage Mutant Ninja Turtles * Carter-A259, a Spartan in ''Halo: Reach'' * Lt. Carter Blake, in the video game ''Heavy Rain'' * Carter Davis, a character in ''Happy Death Day'' and ''Happy Death Day 2U'', played by Israel Broussard *Carter Grayson, in the ''Power Rangers: Lightspeed Rescue'' TV series * Carter Hall, the Golden Age DC Comics super-hero ''Hawkman'' * Carter Hayes, in the 1990 film ''Pacific Heights (film), Pacific Heights'' * Carter Horton, in three films in the ''Final Destination'' series *Carter Kane, in ''The Kane Chronicles'' trilogy * Carter Lee, the main protagonist of South Korean Netflix film ''Carter (2022 film)'', portrayed by Joo Won * Carter Mason, character in the 2009 Disney Channel Movie ''Princess Protection Program'', played by Selena Gomez *Carter Pewterschmidt, father of Lois Griffin in the animated TV series ''Family Guy'' * Carter Slade, the real name of the masked western hero the Phantom Rider (originally known as Ghost Rider) * Carter Stevens, main character in the television series ''Finding Carter''

Surname

*Adam Carter, in the ''Spooks (TV series), Spooks'' TV series *Alan Carter (Space: 1999), Alan Carter (''Space: 1999''), in the ''Space: 1999'' TV series *General Alan Carter, in the 1966 film ''Fantastic Voyage'' * Chick Carter, title character of ''Chick Carter, Boy Detective'', a radio program (1943–1945), and ''Chick Carter, Detective'', a 1946 Columbia film serial *Daisy Carter, in the American soap opera ''The Young and the Restless'' *Damon Carter, in the American drama series ''Soul Food (TV series), Soul Food'' *Daniel Carter (comics), one of three characters with the identity of Supernova (DC Comics), Supernova in the DC Comics Universe *David Carter (character), protagonist of the animated miniseries ''Invasion America'' *Doug Carter, in the British soap opera ''Hollyoaks'' *Edison Carter, in the science fiction TV series ''Max Headroom (TV series), Max Headroom'' * Frank Carter, police officer in the video game ''The Getaway (video game series), The Getaway'' * Harley Carter, protagonist of the Canadian TV series ''Carter (TV series), Carter'' *Heston Carter, in the British soap opera ''Doctors (2000 TV series), Doctors'' * Jack Carter, protagonist of the Ted Lewis novel ''Jack's Return Home'' (later retitled ''Get Carter'') and its sequels and film adaptations *Jack Carter (Eureka), Jack Carter (''Eureka''), sheriff in the 2006 TV series ''Eureka (2006 TV series), Eureka'' *Jacob Carter, in the science fiction TV series ''Stargate SG-1'' * James Carter, detective in the Rush Hour (franchise) films *John Carter (ER), John Carter, medical doctor in the American TV series ''ER (TV series), ER'' *John Carter of Mars, in the ''Barsoom'' series of Edgar Rice Burroughs *Johnny Carter (EastEnders), in the British soap opera ''EastEnders'' *Linda Carter, in ''EastEnders'' * Logan Carter, in the video game series ''Dead Island'' * Lucy Carter, protagonist of the TV sitcom ''Here's Lucy'', played by Lucille Ball *Mandy Carter (Ackley Bridge), Mandy Carter, in ''Ackley Bridge'' * Mandy Carter, in ''Mandy (TV series), Mandy'' * Michael Jon Carter, the DC Comics super hero known as Booster Gold *Mick Carter, in ''EastEnders'' *Nancy Carter, in ''EastEnders'' *Nick Carter (literary character), fictional detective who first appeared in American dime novels in the 1890s *Peggy Carter, a Marvel Comics character **Peggy Carter (Marvel Cinematic Universe), the Marvel Cinematic Universe counterpart *Randolph Carter, main character of many of ''H.P. Lovecraft's Dream-Cycle'' works *Samantha Carter, a main character in the science-fiction TV series ''Stargate SG-1'', daughter of Jacob Carter *Sharon Carter, Marvel Comics character **Sharon Carter (Marvel Cinematic Universe), the Marvel Cinematic Universe counterpart *Sheila Carter, in the American soap operas ''The Young and the Restless'' and ''The Bold and the Beautiful'' *Shirley Carter, in ''EastEnders'' *Stan Carter, in ''EastEnders'' *Tina Carter, in ''EastEnders'' * Zebadiah John Carter, a protagonist of the Robert Heinlein novel ''The Number of the Beast (novel), The Number of the Beast'' *Zoe Carter, in the 2006 TV series ''Eureka'' *Zsa Zsa Carter, in ''EastEnders''

References

External links

Carter households in mid-19th century Ireland
{{DEFAULTSORT:Carter (Name) English-language surnames Given names originating from a surname Surnames of Irish origin Occupational surnames English-language occupational surnames English masculine given names Masculine given names Lists of people by surname