Surname Macaskie - Meaning and Origin

Macaskie: What does the surname Macaskie mean?

Macaskie is a Scottish surname of unknown meaning. It is not common, indicating it originated from a specific geographical location or family line within Scotland rather than reflecting a profession or desirable trait, as many surnames do. Examining the parts of the name, "Mac" is a common prefix in Scottish and Irish surnames meaning 'son of', but "askie" does not appear to align with any known Celtic or Gaelic words or names. Therefore, without specific historical or genealogical information to further clarify its origin and meaning, the actual significance of 'Macaskie' remains unclear. Like many unique surnames, its meaning may be lost to history, only known to the specific family or locality where it first occurred. As such, it's likely a Macaskie could trace their ancestry back to a specific family or group in Scotland. For the true meaning, a Macaskie might conduct genealogical and historical research or DNA testing to explore their specific family history.

Macaskie: Where does the name Macaskie come from?

The surname Macaskie is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name 'Mac Asgaill', which means 'son of Asgaill'. The name Asgaill itself is composed of two elements, "asg" meaning "ash-tree" and "all" meaning "rock", therefore it means “rock of the ash tree”. There were also a number of similar Gaelic names like 'Asgall' and 'Osgar' which could be the root names where 'Macaskie' evolved from.

Scotland, especially the highlands, is the primary place where this surname first materialised. However, the historical Scottish diaspora, primarily to English-speaking countries due to economic and political reasons, means that Macaskie is not solely limited to Scotland.

Today, the distribution of the surname Macaskie is not highly concentrated in one specific region. It is found in places like the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, and Australia. However, it's not very common, making those bearing the Macaskie surname part of a distinct group.

Variations of the surname Macaskie

The surname "Macaskie" seems to have Celtic origin and may be a variant of the surname 'MacAskill' which is popular in Scotland and has its roots in the Scots Gaelic language.

Variant spellings and related surnames to "Macaskie" can include MacAskill, MacCaskie, McCaskie, MacCaskill, McKaskie, MacAskie and McCaskill. These are variations that have evolved due to the phonetic translations of the surname throughout history. Also, the prefix 'Mac' often gets abbreviated to 'Mc' or gets transformed into 'McK' that also leads to these different spellings.

The surname 'MacAskill' is particularly prevalent within the Western Isles or Outer Hebrides of Scotland, with many descendants now located worldwide due to emigration or displacement. Despite these several versions, all these names likely share the same basic meaning - the Gaelic "Mac" meaning "son" and "Askill" being a derivative of a personal name "Asketill".

However, as with any surname, individual families and branches may have their own distinct spellings or derivations based on their specific histories and geographies.

Famous people with the name Macaskie

• John Macaskie: is a British businessman known for his involvement in publishing and philanthropy.
• Elisabeth Macaskie: is an Irish folk singer, songwriter and actor best known for the acclaimed album 'The Stolen Child'.
• James Macaskie: was a Scottish economist and professor at Aberdeen University, best known for his work on public finance.
• William Macaskie: was a Scottish civil engineer, known for his water management in Scotland.
• Alan Macaskie: was a British politician, who was the Liberal Party Member of Parliament for Huddersfield from 1986 to 1992.
• Robert Macaskie: was a Scottish marine biologist and conservationist, best known for his research and efforts to save whale and dolphin populations in the Scotland and the world.
• Thomas Symington Macaskie: was a shipbuilding engineer who served with the Royal Corps of Naval Constructors and served as Chief Engineer of the Royal Navy dockyards at Devonport, Sheerness and Chatham.
• Alan Macaskie: was a British telecommunications engineer, best known for developing the first fibre optic communication system in the UK.
• Robert Macaskie: was a Scottish soldier and physician, who rose to the rank of Lieutenant Colonel in the British Army.
• Alexander Macaskie: was a Scottish botanist and professor of herbal medicine, best known for his work on plant classification.

Other surnames

MacAskill