Surname MacBarragry - Meaning and Origin
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MacBarragry: What does the surname MacBarragry mean?
The surname MacBarragry is derived from the ancient Irish name Mac Giolla Bhreacraighe, meaning “son of the devotee of (Saint) Breacraic.” It is believed to have originated in County Donegal, where the family had estates in the townland of Ballybarragry. The family were a sept of the powerful Mac Donnell clan.
The MacBarragry clan were warriors who gained their reputation fighting against foreign invaders. In 1588, the then-chief of the clan, Maelruanaidh Og, led 800 Irish clansmen against the English forces of Alexander Radcliffe near Lifford. His men were successful in pushing back the English force and killing 200 of their men in the process.
The MacBarragrys are thought to have left Donegal after the Battle of Kinsale in 1601, when the English forces of Lord Mountjoy forced the Irish forces into submission. In the aftermath of the battle, Irish families were harassed and forcibly moved out of their lands. Many of the MacBarrragrys would have likely moved to other parts of Ireland and abroad.
The name MacBarragry remains quite rare, but it is still seen in parts of Ireland. In modern times, it is primarily associated with the courage and strength of the warrior clans of old. The MacBarragry family, while diminished in numbers from their original size, still retains a proud tradition of service and honour.
Order DNA origin analysisMacBarragry: Where does the name MacBarragry come from?
The last name MacBarragry is most commonly found in Scotland, Ireland, and the Isle of Man. The surname originated in these countries and it is believed to be related to the ancient Irish clan of MacBarragry. The surname dates back as far as the 12th century and would have been passed on through generations.
The Mac in MacBarragry is a patronymic prefix, meaning “son of”, and is widely used in Scotland and Ireland for surnames. This suggests that the clan of MacBarragry may be related to the “son of” Barragry. In Gaelic, Barragry is believed to mean “one who is from Barra”. The name Barra likely refers to the island of Barra in the Outer Hebrides of Scotland.
The MacBarragry surname is still common in Scotland today, but can also be found in other parts of the world such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. This could be due to people who have emigrated from Scotland and Ireland and taken the surname with them.
The name MacBarragry has been used in the past in various spellings, including MacBarragy, MacBarra, McBarra, and McBarrais. This is likely due to a lack of standardization of spelling as the written language itself was still evolving in the 12th century when the name originated.
No matter how it is spelled, the surname MacBarragry is still common today in Scotland, Ireland, and other countries as it has been passed on through generations.
Variations of the surname MacBarragry
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacBarragry include MacBara, MacBarra, MacBarry, McBarragry and McBerghry.
MacBara is an Anglicized form of Mac Baire, the Gaelic name for the son of Barra, which means spearpoint. It is associated with County Clare in Ireland and is an old territorial surname.
MacBarra is a variant of MacBara. This name is chiefly found in Counties Cork and Kilkenny in Ireland. It may also be found as McBerghry, or McBarragry.
MacBarry is common chiefly in County Cork in Ireland and is sometimes linked to the MacBara surname. It is purported to derive from the Irish phrase "Mac an Baire," meaning "son of a spearman."
McBerghry is derived from an old Gaelic spelling of Mac Baire and is thought to have originated from MacBarrea in Donegal.
McBarragry is derived from the Gaelic spelling Mac Baire and is associated with famous clans including the Maguires, O'Neills and McGuires. It is chiefly found in County Monaghan in Ireland.
Famous people with the name MacBarragry
- Stephen MacBarragry: Actor in HBO's Game of Thrones
- John MacBarragry: Professional actor and voice artist
- Liam MacBarragry: British actor best known for his roles in 50 Shades of Grey and The Social Network
- Sean MacBarragry: Award-winning actor and producer, best known for his role in The Wire
- Liam MacBarragry: Actor who starred in the popular American action film series Mission: Impossible
- Mark MacBarragry: Former Hollywood and Florida-based lawyer and executive producer
- Patricia MacBarragry: Award-winning actress and screenwriter
- Conor MacBarragry: Professional actor and singer from the Irish band Boyzone
- Catherine MacBarragry: Academy Award-nominated actress and director
- Eoin MacBarragry: Irish actor best known for his roles in Outlander and Vikings