Surname MacCrae - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacCrae: What does the surname MacCrae mean?
The last name MacCrae is of Scottish Gaelic origin and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic personal name "Mac Rath", where "Mac" means son of and "Rath" signifies grace or prosperity. So, MacCrae can be interpreted to mean "Son of Grace" or "Son of Prosperity." The name has strong roots in highland Scotland, specifically in the region of Lochalsh. As with many other Celtic or Gaelic surnames, the spelling variants are numerous due to translation between written Gaelic and English. Some common variations include MacRae, McRae, MacRay, McCrae, and others. The MacCraes are historically celebrated for their warrior-like nature and their loyalty to the clans they allied with. Many stories of Scottish folklore and history mention the members of the MacCrae family.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCrae: Where does the name MacCrae come from?
The surname MacCrae is of Scottish origin and is primarily associated with the highlands of Scotland. The name derives from the Gaelic word "Mac Raith" which means "Son of Grace". It has a rich history, as the MacCraes were known to be fierce warriors and skilled poets. They were traditionally associated with the Clan MacKenzie, and their stronghold was historically the Eilean Donan Castle in the western Scottish Highlands.
Today, the MacCrae surname is not only found in Scotland, but also common amongst people of Scottish descent all over the world. Due to historical migration and the Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries, many MacCraes migrated to other parts of the world, especially to countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. Thus, the name can be found in these countries in varying frequencies. Despite this worldwide distribution, the name remains most common in Scotland where it originated.
Variations of the surname MacCrae
The surname MacCrae originated from the Gaelic personal name Mac Raith or Macraith, meaning "son of grace." Various spellings and versions derive from this Gaelic name, due to regional dialects and pronunciation, oral tradition, and anglicization.
Spelling variants include MacRae, MacRie, MacRay, MacRea, McCrae, McCray, McRae, McRea, and McRay. Due to historical variation in phonetic translations from Gaelic to English, you may also encounter alterations where 'Mac' (meaning 'son of') is replaced with 'Mc'.
For some, the name evolved into surnames such as Rae, Rea, and Ray. There are also more pronounced variations like Raeigh, Raeigher, Rhae. Some people used a more Anglicized form, dropping the 'Mac' or 'Mc' entirely, becoming simply, Crae, Cray, or Cry.
Despite the changes in spelling, all names retain the same origin, tracing back to 'MacCrae' or the Gaelic 'Mac Raith'. The use of a particular variant often came down to family tradition, regional influence, or personal preference.
Given the nature of regional dialects and accents, there might still be other elaborate versions of the name that aren't listed here.
Famous people with the name MacCrae
- John MacCrae: Canadian soldier and war poet.
- Alexandra MacCrae: Actress from the US.
- John MacCrae Jr.: Canadian politician.
- Peter MacCrae: Australian actor, director, and producer.
- Andrew MacCrae: Scottish actor.
- Johnstone MacCrae: Canadian politician.
- William MacCrae: Australian philosopher.
- Tamara MacCrae: Canadian singer-songwriter.
- Kirsty MacCrae: Scottish actress and singer.
- Paul MacCrae: British theatre and opera vocalist.
- Victoria MacCrae: Scottish composer and producer.
- Gavin MacCrae: British lyricist.
- Alan MacCrae: Scottish musician.
- Rory MacCrae: Scottish actor.
- George MacCrae: Scottish artist and sculptor.
- Murray MacCrae: Australian artist and printmaker.
- Fiona MacCrae: Scottish violinist and composer.
- Alex MacCrae: Scottish actor and director.
- Sir William MacCrae: British physician and politician.
- Patricia MacCrae: Canadian novelist and journalist.