Surname MacDonachie - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacDonachie: What does the surname MacDonachie mean?
The last name MacDonachie is a Scottish name which means “son of Duncan”. The Celtic personal name Duncan was derived from the Gaelic elements “dubh”, meaning “black” and “channaich”, meaning “warrior”. This suggests that the ancestors of the MacDonachie family were fierce warriors who fought fiercely in battle.
The MacDonachie surname is derived from a powerful and influential clan from the Highlands of Scotland. The clan was thought to have descended from King Duncan of Scotland. The chiefs of the clan were powerful and controlled vast territories, making them a force to be reckoned with.
The MacDonachie clan rose to prominence during the Wars of Scottish independence in the 14th century. They were one of the most powerful clans in Scotland and supported the cause of Scottish independence against English rule.
Interestingly, the clan is still found in the Highlands of Scotland today. The name is now found throughout the world, usually among those of Scottish descent. Individuals with the MacDonachie surname still carry the same characteristics that their ancestors did: courage, strength, resilience and intelligence.
Order DNA origin analysisMacDonachie: Where does the name MacDonachie come from?
The last name MacDonachie is historically Scottish in origin and is most commonly found in areas of Scotland such as the Scottish Highlands and Orkney Islands. The surname can also be found in the US, Canada, and New Zealand. Today, the most concentrated populations of people with the surname are in Canada and the United States.
In Canada, the largest concentration of people with the surname can be found in the province of Alberta, particularly in the province's two largest cities, Calgary and Edmonton. Additionally, there is also a portion of the population in British Columbia who have the MacDonachie surname.
In the United States, MacDonachie is largely concentrated in California and Washington. California is the state with the highest concentration, with the surname predominantly appearing in the Los Angeles metropolitan area. Elsewhere, the surname is also common in Texas, Michigan, Pennsylvania, Ohio, and New York.
In New Zealand, the last name appears in small but noticeable portions in Auckland and Christchurch, two major cities in the nation. It is also seen in smaller areas like Gisborne, Bay of Plenty, and Northland.
Depending on the region, the MacDonachie surname is also sometimes spelled as MacDonaghy or MacDonagh.
Variations of the surname MacDonachie
The surname MacDonachie is derived from the Scottish Gaelic MacDhòmhnaill, meaning “son of Donald”. MacDonachies can be found in Scotland, Ireland, and beyond. The Anglicized versions of this surname are MacDonald and MacDonaldi, and variants include Donaldson, MacDonell, MacDonnell, and Donachie.
MacDonachies is a variation from MacDhomhnuill (son of Donald). Donachie, MacDonald, Donaldson, MacDonnell, and MacDonell are some of the common variants used by MacDonachie families. The most recognizable variation of this surname is MacDonald, but other names such as Donaldson and Donachie are still found around Scotland and Ireland.
MacDonell is another spelling used by Scottish families from Clan Donald or Clan MacDonald, and the form MacDonachie was in use as early as the mid-16th century on the Isle of Skye. It is now found in several places around Scotland, particularly in Argyll.
In Ireland, MacDonnell and Donaghy are two common spellings of the surname. It is believed that most of these families originate from Scotland, as Irish families augmented with the surname during the 1600’s.
The variations of MacDonachie can also be found in other English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. They occur in different spellings such as McDonald, McDonnell, MacDonogh, McDonell, and even Ronaldson. Each variation can refer to more than one branch of the family tree.
Famous people with the name MacDonachie
- Peter MacDonachie: Canadian actor
- Alexander MacDonachie: Canadian journalist
- David MacDonachie: Scottish actor
- Ardath MacDonachie: American military veteran
- Alex MacDonachie: Scottish comedian
- Shona MacDonachie: Australian folk musician
- Angus MacDonachie: British sports announcer
- Duncan MacDonachie: Scottish playwright
- William MacDonachie: Canadian librarian
- Lucy MacDonachie: American figure skater