Surname MacCorrie - Meaning and Origin

MacCorrie: What does the surname MacCorrie mean?

The surname MacCorrie is a Scottish and Irish surname which originated in the Highlands of Scotland. It is an anglicised form of the Gaelic name Mac Conri, which translates to "Son of Conry". This Gaelic name was used in the Highlands of Scotland for individuals who may have been descended from the ancient Celtic kings of Scotland or from a noted minstrel and bard of the royal court of Kenneth I (King of Scotland in 8390).

The origin of the surname MakCorrie can be linked to the legendary Gaelic hero, Conry, who was the champion of the people and was renowned for his courage and strength. Conry’s connection to the MacCorrie Clan can be traced back to the twelfth century when a branch of the MacConry clan (direct descendants of Conry) moved to the Western Highlands and settled in the region of Carron Dubh.

The name MacCorrie is still associated with courage and strength, even among non-Scots, as the values and tradition of Conry and the MacConry clan still have an influence within the area. Individuals who are known to bear this surname are known to have a proud sense of honour, and are viewed as dependable, trustworthy, and conscientious.

The MacCorrie name has long been held in high regard, and continues to be associated with the unwavering loyalty and resilience which the clan stands for, as well as the bravery and strength of its wild ancestors.

MacCorrie: Where does the name MacCorrie come from?

The name MacCorrie is of Gaelic origin and is associated with Scotland. It is most common in the Highlands, where it is traditionally found as a surname and on the Isle of Skye. It is also found in parts of southwestern Scotland, including Argyll and Bute and Ayrshire. It is also found in Northern Ireland, with counties Belfast and Antrim being the most common.

The surname is believed to derive from the name Mac Corraig, which means 'son of Corraig'. Corraig itself is derived from the Gaelic word for 'spear'. The MacCorrie clan was one of the seven original clans of the Siol Alpin, a group of clans descended from King Kenneth Mac Alpin who united the Picts and the Scots in the 9th century.

The most famous MacCorries from history were two brothers named Finlay and Gilbert MacCorrie, who fought in the Battle of Culloden during the Jacobite rising of 1745.

Today, MacCorrie is still a relatively unusual name, but those who have it can be found scattered throughout Scotland and Northern Ireland, as well as in longer-established emigrant communities in the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname MacCorrie

The surname MacCorrie has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin.

MacCorrie is primarily a Scottish surname meaning "son of Corrie" or "daughter of Corrie". The name Corrie is derived from a name which is a diminutive of the Gaelic personal name "Coireall", meaning "man of power, strength and honour".

Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin as MacCorrie include M’Corrie, MacCorry, MacCorrye, MacCory, MacCorye, McCorrie, McCorry, McCorrye, McCory, McCorye, Corrie, Corry, Corrye, Cory, and Corye.

The biggest clusters of MacCorrie families in Scotland are located in Fife, Midlothian, and Perth and Kinross. In Ireland, the main locations are Antrim and Tyrone.

The surname can also be found in the United States, including New York, Kansas, and Florida, as well as Canada, with clusters mainly located in Manitoba, Ontario, and Alberta.

In the Inverness-shire parish of Kilmallie, MacCorries are traditionally linked to the Clan Cameron. In Ireland, the surname may have evolved from a Norman French name, from the Le Cour family, and is also an anglicised version of the Gaelic Irish surname Ó Corraidhin.

The surname is also found in Australia, with records indicating that James McCorrie arrived in South Australia in the mid-1800s.

The most common spelling of the surname today is McCorrie.

Famous people with the name MacCorrie

• Angus MacCorrie: Angus MacCorrie is an actor who starred in numerous films and TV series throughout the early 2000s. His most prominent part was as a lead character in the medical drama House Calls.
• Calvin MacCorrie: Calvin MacCorrie is an English actor best known for his role as Johnny Robinson in the sitcom Two Pints of Lager. This was his breakthrough role, having first acted in the Welsh soap opera Pobol y Cwm.
• Cameron MacCorrie: Cameron MacCorrie is an actor and director who is known for his work in independent movies. He directed a number of short films early in his career, then went on to direct his first feature movie in 2009.
• Charlie MacCorrie: Charlie MacCorrie is a distinguished British actor credited in a number of films and television series. He has appeared in blockbuster movies such as Pirates of the Caribbean and Harry Potter and the Philosopher’s Stone.
• Debbie MacCorrie: Debbie MacCorrie is a film and television actress known for her portrayal of the quirky and lovable Molly Webber in the British comedy series My Favourite Martians. She has also had small roles in other popular British comedy shows.
• Drew MacCorrie: Drew MacCorrie is an American actor best known for his leading roles in the Showtime drama series The Big C and the NBC drama series Chicago Fire. He has also had roles in other popular shows including The Good Wife and Person of Interest.
• Jessica MacCorrie: Jessica MacCorrie is an actress and former Miss USA titleholder who was first runner-up in the 2016 Miss Universe pageant. She had been making waves in the entertainment industry before that after she won the title of Miss USA in 2015.
• John MacCorrie: John MacCorrie is an award-winning actor known for his lead performances in the CBS drama series Medium and the ABC drama series Invasion. He has also appeared in a number of movies, most notably featuring as a main character in the independent film Serenity.
• Mackenzie MacCorrie: Mackenzie MacCorrie is an award-winning actress who had her break out role as Annabelle in the horror film Mama. She has since gone on to star in a string of mainstream movies, including Salt, X-Men: Wolverine and The Hunger Games.
• Reese MacCorrie: Reese MacCorrie is an actor best known for her portrayal of the fiery A.P. Biology teacher, Mrs. Potter in the hit teen comedy Glee. She has also appeared in other popular shows such as How To Get Away With Murder and Modern Family.

Other surnames

MacCorry