Surname MacDonald of Clanranald - Meaning and Origin
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MacDonald of Clanranald: What does the surname MacDonald of Clanranald mean?
The last name MacDonald is an Anglicized version of the Scottish Gaelic MacDhòmhnaill, meaning "son of Dòmhnall." The name is derived from the name of the 11th century founder of the Clanranald, Donald MacDonald, or Dòmhnall MacDhòmhnaill in Gaelic. Clan Ranald was one of the great historical clans of Scotland, once part of the larger Lordship of the Isles. Its territory included what is now known as the Highlands and parts of the western islands of Scotland.
A surname of renown, it has carried the proud memory of a clan which was renowned for its warriors and renowned for its efforts to protect the lands of Scotland from forces which threatened its security.
The MacDonalds of Clan Ranald were unique in their approach to life in that they were firm believers that their clan was responsible to its own well-being and that of its families, and thus retained a strong sense of loyalty and support for one another within their clan. This was particularly true in times of difficulty, when they would come together to defend and protect each other from outside forces. In addition, the bravery and courage of the MacDonalds in battle were legendary, both in Scotland and elsewhere.
It is for these reasons that the MacDonald name is so closely associated with Clan Ranald and its fiercely loyal history. The name has become synonymous with courage, bravery, loyalty and honor, and is remembered with great pride by MacDonalds wherever they may be.
Order DNA origin analysisMacDonald of Clanranald: Where does the name MacDonald of Clanranald come from?
The last name MacDonald of Clanranald is still quite common today, especially in certain regions. Scotland is the main area where this name is found, as the Clanranald are descended from the original Scottish MacDonalds, and are one of the major branches of the clan. The surname is especially common in Highlands and island of Scotland, such as Inverness-shire, Argyll and Bute, the Hebrides, and Stirlingshire.
Outside Scotland, MacDonald of Clanranald is present in parts of Canada, including Nova Scotia, Prince Edward Island and Ontario. This is likely due to the fact that many Highlanders moved to Canada to start new lives during the Great Highland Clearances of the 1700s and 1800s. Large concentrations can also be found in the United States, primarily on the East Coast, due to a similar wave of migrations during the late 19th and early 20th centuries.
Australasia is another region where the MacDonald of Clanranald name can be found, particularly in New Zealand. This is a direct result of Highlanders flocking to the new colony in search of work and a new life during the 19th century. Today, the name MacDonald of Clanranald is a common sight in much of the world, but is still closely connected to its origin in Scotland.
Variations of the surname MacDonald of Clanranald
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacDonald of Clanranald are Macdonald, Mcdonald, McDonald, Macdonnel, McDonnell, Donald, Donnell, Donnel, Donale, Donell, and Donel.
The surname MacDonald of Clanranald is derived from the Gaelic name “Mac Dhoanal”, from the Old Irish ‘Mac Domhnaill’, meaning ‘the son of Domhnall’. Domhnall was a popular Gaelic name in the 10th and 11th centuries. It is a patronymic surname with many variations and spelling changes.
MacDonald is the most common form of the surname in Scotland and is also popular in Canada, the United States, and other places with a heavy Scottish influence. Most people with this name belong to Clanranald of the MacDonalds of the isles, based in the Western Isles of Scotland.
McDonald is a variant of MacDonald that is more common in Ireland and parts of Scotland where Gaelic is not widely spoken.
Mcdonnell, Donale, McDonnell, Donel, Donnell, Donnel, Donell, and Donald are variations derived from the Gaelic spelling of the name.
The surname is commonly seen in its various spellings with the prefix ‘Mac' or ‘Mc' meaning ‘son of’. The name is also sometimes seen without a prefix, for example, Donaldson.
Famous people with the name MacDonald of Clanranald
- Ranald MacDonald: the last chief of Clanranald. Ranald was born in Scotland in 1767 and was elected chieftain in 1827. He expanded the Clanranald holdings from Moidart in the southwest of Scotland to other parts of the country.
- Flora MacDonald: an iconic Scottish heroine often associated with Clanranald. Born in 1722, she is remembered for aiding in Bonnie Prince Charlie's escape from the British after the Jacobite Rebellion.
- Malcolm MacDonald: the son of former Prime Minister Ramsey MacDonald, he served as the British High Commissioner in India from 1959 to 1965.
- William MacDonald: an American Bible teacher, author, and founder of the Gospel Communications International (GCI), a ministry focused on strengthening Christianity all around the world.
- Alexander MacDonald: a Canadian-born soldier who fought in World War I and became governor-general of Canada in 1935.
- Donald MacDonald: an eminent Scottish journalist and Liberal statesman. He served in the British House of Commons from 1873 to 1880.
- Kenneth MacDonald: an English actor recognized for his roles in British television series and films, such as Dad's Army and It Ain't Half Hot Mum.
- Angus MacDonald: a former First Minister of Scotland and leader of the Scottish National Party.
- John D. MacDonald: an American novelist famous for his crime fiction, such as The Deep Blue Good-By.
- Gordon MacDonald: an American pastor and author who is currently the senior pastor of Grace Chapel in Lexington, Massachusetts.