The subject of septs is a contentious one and one which is difficult to resolve with any degree of historical accuracy. There are also endless variations of Scottish surnames and the list below is neither comprehensive nor definitive but is intended solely as a guide to the possible connections a name may have to a recognised clan or family featured in detail elsewhere. Mac, Gaelic for 'son', is the most common element of Scottish surnames. Mc is always an abbreviation of Mac, it also used to be abbreviated M' although this spelling is now not common. In an early book on Highland music, the author spelled his own name three different ways on the first two pages: MacDonald, McDonald, and M'Donald. If you fancy an unusual Scottish or Irish moniker for your baby, you should definitely consider a 'Mac' or 'Mc' name. These names are very common in Scotland and Ireland as surnames. Names beginning with 'Mac' and the second letter as listed below. Because there are so many Scottish names beginning with 'Mac' this section of the database is subdivided into Mac A to Mac Z. Mc is simply an abbreviation for Mac so names spelled Mc are the same as Mac.
Gaelic Surnames in Ireland
These are the oldest names in Ireland and often reflect the clan and territorial system that prevailed in the Celtic era.
Gaelic names fall mainly into four broad groups:
1. Names referencing an ancestor
Examples include O Toole (Ó Tuathail) meaning 'descendents of Tuathal', who was a 10th century King of Leinster.
The name does not always refer to a specific known character, so while MacCormack (MacCormac) means 'son of Cormac', there is no single Cormac to whom all can trace their ancestry.
2. Names deriving from a place
Two examples, from many, are McNulty (Mac An Ultaigh) which means 'Son of Ulster' and Delaney (Ó Dubhshlaine) meaning 'of the black river Slaney'.
Conversely a huge number of Irish place names are derived from the names of people who lived in or ruled over them.
3. Names relating to work or a profession
O Leary (O Laoghaire) means 'descendant of the calf keeper' and Guinness (MacAonghusa) means 'son of the healer'. There are many more.
4. Names based on personal characteristics
Reilly (Ó Raghailligh) means 'of the gregarious people' and Lawlor (O'Leathlobhair) means 'half leper' while, somewhat unkindly, Kennedy (Ó Cinneide) means 'of the ugly head'. Download excel for mac.
Sons and Grandsons
The commonly found 'Mc' (or 'Mac') before an Irish name means 'Son of', while the even more frequent 'O'' means 'grandson of'.
So MacAuley means 'son of Auley', and O'Keefe (O Caoinmh) means 'grandson of Caoinmh'. Both can be interpreted as meaning 'descendent of'.
These names are not always related to a specific known person in the past, or even to a person at all. Thus O'Grady (Ó Grádaigh) means 'descendent of the illustrious', McGill (Mac An Ghaill) 'descendent of the foreigner' and, interestingly, MacTaggart (Mac antSagart) means 'son of the priest'. Mmm.
Daughters and Wives
Obviously daughters cannot be 'son of' or 'grandson of' anybody, and so female members of a family will have before their names 'Ní' or 'Níc', which comes from from Iníon Mhic meaning 'daughter of the son of'.
For example my name in Irish is Cait Ní Nuaillain ('Katherine, daughter of the son of the noble man'), but my brother is Seamus Ó Nuaillain ('James, grandson of the noble man'). Sadly our nobility is in name only.
As in many language, things change with female names when marriages occur.
If Mary marries Sean Ó Doinn, and takes his name, she becomes Mary Bean Uí Doinn, which literally means 'Mary, wife of the grandson of Doinn'. Had she married Padraig MacCarthaigh she would have been Mary Bean MhicCarthaigh or 'Mary, wife of the son of Carthaigh'.
The ‘bean' part, which means ‘wife' is often dropped in comman useage, giving Mary Uí Doinn orMary MhicCarthaigh
But even though it is not the same as her husband's, her married status would be quite clear from her name, .
The Anglicisation of Gaelic Names
During the 18th and 19th centuries there were concerted efforts by the English to suppress the use of the Irish Language and the use of Irish names. At that time falling in line and changing your name to something with a more English sound was a pragmatic move which improved your chances of social and economic advancement.
This had two primary effects on Irish names:
- The use of Mac and O' was dropped by many families
Some families have since revived the O or Mac, others never did, which explains why you will find Mahony and O'Mahony, Neill and O'Neill, all with a common history. - Old Gaelic names became anglicised in different ways
Sometimes the anglicised version was a translation, sometimes it was a phonetic spelling of the Irish, sometimes it was a mixture of the two.
The latter change in particular can cause great confusion to those researching names, as there can be many very different versions in English of a single original Gaelic name and conversely multiple Irish versions of an English surname.
Take the name MacAoda, which can mean either 'son of Aodh' or 'son of Hugh', since Aodh is the Irish version of the given name Hugh.
Depending on where in Ireland you lived, and thus on the regional version of the Irish language you spoke, Aodh would be pronounced either as 'ee' in the word ‘see' or as 'ay' in the word ‘say'.
This led to huge variation in the way the name was changed into English.
All of these could derive from MacAodh: Magee, MacKee, McKee, MacCoy, MacKay, McCay, Hughes, McHugh, Hayes and Hewson.
The last name there may be familiar – Bono of Irish band U2 is properly known as Paul Hewson, and in Irish would be Pól MacAoda.
Distribution of Gaelic Names
Most names of Gaelic origin are widely distributed in Ireland, and indeed elsewhere, but it is remarkable how closely some families have remained to the places where their names originated, often more than a thousand years ago.
For example the name Moriarty is very rarely found outside of Co Kerry and if you meet a Riordan you can be fairly sure he or she will speak with the distinctive accent of Co Cork. Both names are still common in their home areas but uncommon elsewhere.
Even with very frequently occurring names such as Brennan, which is pretty much ubiquitous, concentrations in small areas still occur.
There is a large concentration of Brennans in Donegal, among them the well known Irish singer Enya (left), whose real name is Eithne Ní Bhraonain.
The Castlecomer Brennans
There are so many families with the surname Brennan around the town of Castlecomer in Co Kilkenny that nicknames are used to distinguish them, so that you have Brennan Con,Brennan Duff or Brennan Joes. These are sometimes even included when addressing mail.
The story of the Brennans of Castlecomer shows how families can persist in an area against all the odds. That the Brennans have survived at all, let alone thrived, is remarkable.
Prior to the 12th century they were the dominant clan in what is now the Kilkenny City area, effective rulers of vast areas of excellent land. When the Normans arrived they assumed ownership almost all lands around the city and the Brennans were driven out to less fertile lands around Castlecomer.
In the 17th century they lost ownership of that land to the Wandesfordes, an English family who were granted the lands around Castlecomer by the Crown and relegated the Brennans to the status of tenent farmers, paying rent on lands they had previously owned.
But through all the tribulations down the centuries they survived and remain very numerous in their home territory, where they now once again own the land they farm. Quite a story of dogged determination.
Scots Gaelic Names
It is often erroneously said the Mc indicates Irish origin and Mac Scottish origin. In fact there is no difference at all. The languages of both countries are similar and the two are effectively interchangeable and say nothing whatever about origin.
It can sometime be tricky to decide whether a name begining with Mac or Mc is of Irish or Scots Gaelic origin, but there is a good hint in the religion of its bearer and where in Ireland they live now or came from.
Scottish names are by far more common in the Northern counties, where waves of Scottish planters settled in times past, than in any other part of Ireland. Those with names of Irish origin are predominantly Catholic, those whose names originated in Scotland mainly protestant.
So a Protestant McSweeney from Donegal almost certainly has Scottish ancestry, while a Catholic McSweeney from Cork has an Irish name and is from an unrelated family.
A list of Irish surnames beginning with Mac (or Mc), from McCann to McSweeney.
MacAuley
Variants: McCauley, McAwley, Cawley,Magawley.
In Irish: Mac Amhalghaidh
Found in: Cork, Fermanagh, Westmeath.
Origin: Gaelic
Mac Amhalghaidh means 'son of Auley', once important Gaelic Lords.
MacAuliffe
In Irish:MacAmhlaoibh
Found in: Cork
Origin: Norse
From the Norse name 'Olaf'.
MacBride
Variants: McBride
In Irish: MacGiolla Brighde
Found in: Donegal,
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of the servant of St. Brigid'.
MacCabe
Variants: McCabe
In Irish: Mac Cába.
Found in: Cavan, Leitrim
Origin: Scots-Gaelic
'Caba' means 'hat or cap'. The family originally came from Scotland to serve as Gallowglasses (a type of mercenary soldier) to Irish lords. Their name may come from their wearing of distinctive hats.
MacCann
Variants: Canny, McCann
In Irish: MacAnnadh
Found in: Armagh, Ulster
Origin: Gaelic
Related to the O'Neills of Ulster
MacCarthy
Variants: McCarthy
In Irish: MacCarthaigh
Found in: Widespread
Origin: Gaelic
Descendents of Carthac, a 12th century chieftain.
MacCormack
Variants: McCormick
In Irish: MacCormaic
Found in: Widespread
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of Cormac', not descended from a single Cormac – it was a common name.
MacCullagh
In Irish: Variants: Cully, MacNully
In Irish: Mac Con Uladh
Found in: Antrim, Down, Ulster
Origin: Scots-Gaelic
Scottish Names Mc For Mac Computers
Means 'Son of the hound' Known in Scotland as MacCulloch.
MacDermot
Scottish Names Mac Or Mc
Variants: MacDermott, Kermode.
In Irish: MacDiarmada
Found in: Roscommon, Sligo
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'Son of Dermot'. Dermot was a 12th century King of Moylurgh, a place now known as Coolavin, in Sligo.
MacElroy
Variants: McElroy
In Irish: MacGiolla Rua
Found in: Fermanagh, Leitrim
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of the red haired man'.
MacEvoy
Variants: McAvoy, McEvoy
In Irish: MacGuiollabhuidhe Mac A Buidhe
Found in: Laois, Louth
Origin: Gaelic
May mean 'woodsman'; or, 'yellow (blonde?) son'.
MacGee
Variants: Magee, MacKee, McKee
In Irish: Mac Aodha
Found in: Antrim, Armagh, Down.
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of Aodh (Hugh)'.
MacGill
Scottish Names Mc For Mac Download
Variants: Magill
In Irish: An Ghaill
Found in: Ulster
Origin: Gaelic
MacGinn
Variants: Maginn, McGinn, MacGinne
In Irish: Mac Fhinn
Found in: Armagh, Down, Tyrone
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'Finn's son'or sometimes 'son of the foreigner'. A foreigner could also simply mean a stranger.
MacGovern
Variants: MacGowran, McGovern, McGowran
In Irish: Mac Samhrain
Found in: Cavan, Fermanagh, Leitrim
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of Samhradh (summer)'.
McGowan
Variants: Gowan, Smith
In Irish: MacGhabhann
Found in: Cavan, Leitrim, Monaghan, Ulster
Origin: Gaelic
Mc Vs Mac Irish Or Scottish
Means 'son of the smith'. The same origin as the English name Smith, to which is was sometime anglicised.
MacGrath
Variants: Magraw, MacGraw, Magrath, McGrath, McGraw.
In Irish: MacRaith
Found in: Clare, Donegal, Fermanagh, Limerick. Widespread.
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of Raith'; raith also means 'wealth', so it may mean 'son of the wealthy man'.
MacHugh
Variants: MacCoy, McKee, Hughes, MacKay, McHugh, Hewson
In Irish: MacAoda
Found in: Donegal, Fermanagh, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of Hugh', so is a related name to McGee, above. Seagate backup plus thunderbolt for macbook pro.
MacInerney
Variants: Macnairney, Mcnerney, McInerney
In Irish: Mac An Airchinnigh
Found in: West of Ireland
Origin: Gaelic
Comes from the old name MacErenagh which means 'son of the lord'. Lord as in nobleman, not God.
MacKenna
In Irish: MacCionaoda
Found in: Cavan, Monaghan, Ulster.
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of Cionaoid'.
MacKeown
Variants: McKown, McKeon, MacKowen.
In Irish: MacEoghan
Origin: Gaelic
'Eo' means 'Yew Tree', but may not be relevant. Eoghan is one of several Irish versions of John, so it may just mean 'Eoghan's son'.
MacLoughlin
Variants: O'Loghlen, MacLaughlin, McLaughlin
In Irish: MacLochlainn
Found in: Clare, Derry, Donegal, Meath.
Origin: Gaelic
MacMahon
Variants: Mahon, McMahon, Mohan, Vaughn
In Irish: , Mac Mathghamhna
Origin: Gaelic
As in many language, things change with female names when marriages occur.
If Mary marries Sean Ó Doinn, and takes his name, she becomes Mary Bean Uí Doinn, which literally means 'Mary, wife of the grandson of Doinn'. Had she married Padraig MacCarthaigh she would have been Mary Bean MhicCarthaigh or 'Mary, wife of the son of Carthaigh'.
The ‘bean' part, which means ‘wife' is often dropped in comman useage, giving Mary Uí Doinn orMary MhicCarthaigh
But even though it is not the same as her husband's, her married status would be quite clear from her name, .
The Anglicisation of Gaelic Names
During the 18th and 19th centuries there were concerted efforts by the English to suppress the use of the Irish Language and the use of Irish names. At that time falling in line and changing your name to something with a more English sound was a pragmatic move which improved your chances of social and economic advancement.
This had two primary effects on Irish names:
- The use of Mac and O' was dropped by many families
Some families have since revived the O or Mac, others never did, which explains why you will find Mahony and O'Mahony, Neill and O'Neill, all with a common history. - Old Gaelic names became anglicised in different ways
Sometimes the anglicised version was a translation, sometimes it was a phonetic spelling of the Irish, sometimes it was a mixture of the two.
The latter change in particular can cause great confusion to those researching names, as there can be many very different versions in English of a single original Gaelic name and conversely multiple Irish versions of an English surname.
Take the name MacAoda, which can mean either 'son of Aodh' or 'son of Hugh', since Aodh is the Irish version of the given name Hugh.
Depending on where in Ireland you lived, and thus on the regional version of the Irish language you spoke, Aodh would be pronounced either as 'ee' in the word ‘see' or as 'ay' in the word ‘say'.
This led to huge variation in the way the name was changed into English.
All of these could derive from MacAodh: Magee, MacKee, McKee, MacCoy, MacKay, McCay, Hughes, McHugh, Hayes and Hewson.
The last name there may be familiar – Bono of Irish band U2 is properly known as Paul Hewson, and in Irish would be Pól MacAoda.
Distribution of Gaelic Names
Most names of Gaelic origin are widely distributed in Ireland, and indeed elsewhere, but it is remarkable how closely some families have remained to the places where their names originated, often more than a thousand years ago.
For example the name Moriarty is very rarely found outside of Co Kerry and if you meet a Riordan you can be fairly sure he or she will speak with the distinctive accent of Co Cork. Both names are still common in their home areas but uncommon elsewhere.
Even with very frequently occurring names such as Brennan, which is pretty much ubiquitous, concentrations in small areas still occur.
There is a large concentration of Brennans in Donegal, among them the well known Irish singer Enya (left), whose real name is Eithne Ní Bhraonain.
The Castlecomer Brennans
There are so many families with the surname Brennan around the town of Castlecomer in Co Kilkenny that nicknames are used to distinguish them, so that you have Brennan Con,Brennan Duff or Brennan Joes. These are sometimes even included when addressing mail.
The story of the Brennans of Castlecomer shows how families can persist in an area against all the odds. That the Brennans have survived at all, let alone thrived, is remarkable.
Prior to the 12th century they were the dominant clan in what is now the Kilkenny City area, effective rulers of vast areas of excellent land. When the Normans arrived they assumed ownership almost all lands around the city and the Brennans were driven out to less fertile lands around Castlecomer.
In the 17th century they lost ownership of that land to the Wandesfordes, an English family who were granted the lands around Castlecomer by the Crown and relegated the Brennans to the status of tenent farmers, paying rent on lands they had previously owned.
But through all the tribulations down the centuries they survived and remain very numerous in their home territory, where they now once again own the land they farm. Quite a story of dogged determination.
Scots Gaelic Names
It is often erroneously said the Mc indicates Irish origin and Mac Scottish origin. In fact there is no difference at all. The languages of both countries are similar and the two are effectively interchangeable and say nothing whatever about origin.
It can sometime be tricky to decide whether a name begining with Mac or Mc is of Irish or Scots Gaelic origin, but there is a good hint in the religion of its bearer and where in Ireland they live now or came from.
Scottish names are by far more common in the Northern counties, where waves of Scottish planters settled in times past, than in any other part of Ireland. Those with names of Irish origin are predominantly Catholic, those whose names originated in Scotland mainly protestant.
So a Protestant McSweeney from Donegal almost certainly has Scottish ancestry, while a Catholic McSweeney from Cork has an Irish name and is from an unrelated family.
A list of Irish surnames beginning with Mac (or Mc), from McCann to McSweeney.
MacAuley
Variants: McCauley, McAwley, Cawley,Magawley.
In Irish: Mac Amhalghaidh
Found in: Cork, Fermanagh, Westmeath.
Origin: Gaelic
Mac Amhalghaidh means 'son of Auley', once important Gaelic Lords.
MacAuliffe
In Irish:MacAmhlaoibh
Found in: Cork
Origin: Norse
From the Norse name 'Olaf'.
MacBride
Variants: McBride
In Irish: MacGiolla Brighde
Found in: Donegal,
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of the servant of St. Brigid'.
MacCabe
Variants: McCabe
In Irish: Mac Cába.
Found in: Cavan, Leitrim
Origin: Scots-Gaelic
'Caba' means 'hat or cap'. The family originally came from Scotland to serve as Gallowglasses (a type of mercenary soldier) to Irish lords. Their name may come from their wearing of distinctive hats.
MacCann
Variants: Canny, McCann
In Irish: MacAnnadh
Found in: Armagh, Ulster
Origin: Gaelic
Related to the O'Neills of Ulster
MacCarthy
Variants: McCarthy
In Irish: MacCarthaigh
Found in: Widespread
Origin: Gaelic
Descendents of Carthac, a 12th century chieftain.
MacCormack
Variants: McCormick
In Irish: MacCormaic
Found in: Widespread
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of Cormac', not descended from a single Cormac – it was a common name.
MacCullagh
In Irish: Variants: Cully, MacNully
In Irish: Mac Con Uladh
Found in: Antrim, Down, Ulster
Origin: Scots-Gaelic
Scottish Names Mc For Mac Computers
Means 'Son of the hound' Known in Scotland as MacCulloch.
MacDermot
Scottish Names Mac Or Mc
Variants: MacDermott, Kermode.
In Irish: MacDiarmada
Found in: Roscommon, Sligo
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'Son of Dermot'. Dermot was a 12th century King of Moylurgh, a place now known as Coolavin, in Sligo.
MacElroy
Variants: McElroy
In Irish: MacGiolla Rua
Found in: Fermanagh, Leitrim
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of the red haired man'.
MacEvoy
Variants: McAvoy, McEvoy
In Irish: MacGuiollabhuidhe Mac A Buidhe
Found in: Laois, Louth
Origin: Gaelic
May mean 'woodsman'; or, 'yellow (blonde?) son'.
MacGee
Variants: Magee, MacKee, McKee
In Irish: Mac Aodha
Found in: Antrim, Armagh, Down.
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of Aodh (Hugh)'.
MacGill
Scottish Names Mc For Mac Download
Variants: Magill
In Irish: An Ghaill
Found in: Ulster
Origin: Gaelic
MacGinn
Variants: Maginn, McGinn, MacGinne
In Irish: Mac Fhinn
Found in: Armagh, Down, Tyrone
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'Finn's son'or sometimes 'son of the foreigner'. A foreigner could also simply mean a stranger.
MacGovern
Variants: MacGowran, McGovern, McGowran
In Irish: Mac Samhrain
Found in: Cavan, Fermanagh, Leitrim
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of Samhradh (summer)'.
McGowan
Variants: Gowan, Smith
In Irish: MacGhabhann
Found in: Cavan, Leitrim, Monaghan, Ulster
Origin: Gaelic
Mc Vs Mac Irish Or Scottish
Means 'son of the smith'. The same origin as the English name Smith, to which is was sometime anglicised.
MacGrath
Variants: Magraw, MacGraw, Magrath, McGrath, McGraw.
In Irish: MacRaith
Found in: Clare, Donegal, Fermanagh, Limerick. Widespread.
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of Raith'; raith also means 'wealth', so it may mean 'son of the wealthy man'.
MacHugh
Variants: MacCoy, McKee, Hughes, MacKay, McHugh, Hewson
In Irish: MacAoda
Found in: Donegal, Fermanagh, Galway, Leitrim, Mayo
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of Hugh', so is a related name to McGee, above. Seagate backup plus thunderbolt for macbook pro.
MacInerney
Variants: Macnairney, Mcnerney, McInerney
In Irish: Mac An Airchinnigh
Found in: West of Ireland
Origin: Gaelic
Comes from the old name MacErenagh which means 'son of the lord'. Lord as in nobleman, not God.
MacKenna
In Irish: MacCionaoda
Found in: Cavan, Monaghan, Ulster.
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of Cionaoid'.
MacKeown
Variants: McKown, McKeon, MacKowen.
In Irish: MacEoghan
Origin: Gaelic
'Eo' means 'Yew Tree', but may not be relevant. Eoghan is one of several Irish versions of John, so it may just mean 'Eoghan's son'.
MacLoughlin
Variants: O'Loghlen, MacLaughlin, McLaughlin
In Irish: MacLochlainn
Found in: Clare, Derry, Donegal, Meath.
Origin: Gaelic
MacMahon
Variants: Mahon, McMahon, Mohan, Vaughn
In Irish: , Mac Mathghamhna
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of a bear', presumably a large or strong man.
MacManus
In Irish: MacMaghnuis
Found in: Fermanagh, Roscommon
Origin: Norse
Derived from the Norse or Viking name Magnus.
MacNally
Variants: McNally, Macannally, Nally
In Irish: Mac an Fhailghigh
Found in: Armagh, Mayo, Monaghan.
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of the poor man'.
MacNamara
Variants: McNamara
In Irish: MacNamara
Found in: Clare, Limerick
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of the sea hound'.
MacNulty
Variants: McNulty, Nulty
In Irish: Mac An Ultaigh
Is Mc Scottish Or Irish
Found in: Mayo, Ulster
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of Ulster'.
MacQuaid
Scottish Names Mc For Mac Osx
Variants: McQuaid, McQuaide, MacWade, McWade
In Irish: Mac Uaid
Found in: Ulster
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of Uaid (Walter)'.
MacQuillan
Variants: McQuillan
In Irish: MacCoilin or MacUighlilin
Found in: Ulster
Origin: Gaelic
Means 'son of little Hugh' and refers to Hugeli de Mandeville a Norman-Welsh lord who arrived in Ireland in the 12th century.
MacSweeney
Variants: MacSwiney, Sweeney, Sweeny
Found in: Cork, Donegal.
Origin: Gaelic, Scots Gaelic
Means 'son of the pleasant man'. The Donegal branch are of Scots Gaelic origin.
