Surname MacBurie - Meaning and Origin

MacBurie: What does the surname MacBurie mean?

The surname MacBurie (or MacBury) is derived from an old Scottish personal name, written variously as Macethan, Macgille Bheathair, Macgille Bhuith, MacGillbeth or MacGillbuith. The surname is derived from the Gaelic ‘mac gille’ meaning ‘son of the servant’ or ‘son of a man of service’. This suggests that, historically, the name was associated with the serving of a family or feudal lord.

It is a assumed that the name originated from the Gaelic ‘mac gilebrithe’, which means ‘son of the famous one’ or ‘son of the celebrated one’. This would suggest that the original bearer of the name was esteemed and respected in his community.

The first recorded reference to the name is found in the ancient Annals of Ulster, when the death of Mac Gilladuib - ‘a royal knight’ - was reported in 1186. The earliest record of the surname is possibly from 1488, when Johannes McMasterbeith was recorded in the Records of Inchaffray, Scotland.

The MacBuries of Scotland hailed from a region in the Highlands. From there, they spread across the world to countries such the USA, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. The majority of those who bear the surname can still be found in Scotland, particularly in the counties of Inverness, Perth and Aberdeen.

Today, the MacBurie surname is still associated with courage, honour and loyalty, qualities which were highly valued by this noble Scottish family throughout their centuries-long history.

MacBurie: Where does the name MacBurie come from?

The surname 'MacBurie' is an anglicisation of the Scottish Gaelic MacUbhrothaich, and is most commonly found in the United Kingdom. The most popular region for this name is the Orkney Islands region of Scotland, followed by the Shetland Islands, the Highlands and Islands, and the Northern Isles. It is also occasionally seen in Ireland, presumably due to migration patterns through the centuries.

The two main branches of the MacBurie surname are the MacBurie of the Isles and the MacBurie of Kirkwall. The first traceable recorded use of the name is in 1310 in Orkney, when an Arnald MacUbhrothaich is referred to in the records of the Court of King's Chamber.

Although the surname is uncommon outside of the United Kingdom, its rate of use has dwindled in recent years. In 1961, there were 880 individuals registered as having the name, with the Orkney Islands accounting for approximately 494 of these registrations. This number decreased even further by 2001, to just 427 individuals, suggesting a decrease in population or a relocation of MacBurie people over a 40-year period.

Today, the MacBurie surname can still be mainly found in certain areas of Scotland, particularly in the Orkney Islands. Many of the families having been there since at least the 16th century and retaining the name since then. Despite its decrease in use, McComie is still a name rich in history and firmly established within its typical home of Scotland.

Variations of the surname MacBurie

The surname MacBurie is derived from the Gaelic surname MacGobhairle. It is a form of the Old Norse name Gulbrandr, meaning “wolf”. Over time, the surname has been Anglicized and can now be found as MacBurie, MacGavirle, MacGawrley, MacGorley, MacGorley, MacGouble, and MacGoulier.

MacBurie is the most common spelling today, however, many people may prefer to spell it as MacGavirle. This alternate spelling is derived from an adaptation of the old Norse form “Gulbrandr”. MacGawrley, MacGorley and MacGouble are other variants that evolved from the original spelling.

MacGoulier is another variant of the surname, which is derived from the French word “goulet”, meaning a small creek. This surname is most commonly found in Scotland and is particularly associated with the Clan Gunn.

The surname MacBurie or any of its variants is not a common surname, however, it can be found throughout the United Kingdom, Ireland, and North America. Many of the spellings are used interchangeably, though the original surname is MacGobhairle. All of these spellings can be traced back to the same origins, so anyone with the surname MacBurie could also be part of the Clan Gunn.

Famous people with the name MacBurie

• Logan MacBrie: American model and actress
• Luke MacBrie: American YouTuber, vlogger and content creator
• Kit MacBrie: British musician
• Ian MacBrie: Canadian actor and director
• Avery MacBrie: American actress and singer
• Cora MacBrie: American fashion designer
• Greer MacBrie: Canadian poet and author
• Marley MacBrie: American TV show host
• Taylor MacBrie: British singer and recording artist
• Carter MacBrie: American sports commentator
• Christian MacBrie: American actor
• Ruby MacBrie: Australian activist
• David MacBrie: British author and editor
• Arlo MacBrie: British astronomer and astrophysicist
• Baxter MacBrie: American entrepreneur
• Madison MacBrie: American chef and restaurateur
• Mabel MacBrie: Canadian politician
• Lila MacBrie: Irish archaeologist
• Isaac MacBrie: New Zealand surfer and actor
• Stuart MacBrie: British journalist and blogger.

Other surnames

MacBurneyMacBurnie