Surname MacFarquhar - Meaning and Origin

MacFarquhar: What does the surname MacFarquhar mean?

The Scottish surname MacFarquhar is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name MacFearchair, which means "son of Farquhar". The name Farquhar is derived from the Old Gaelic Fearchar, which translates as “dear man” or “dear one”. The name is thought to have originated in the highlands and is believed to have been an epithet given to an ancestor who might have been renowned for his kindness or charisma.

During the Middle Ages, MacFarquhars were landowners in Appin, Strathspey, and Moidart. They were also associated with bad hair days—there were a number of MacFarquhars who were sent to the gallows for partaking in an upsurge in Highland Jacobitism during the rebellions of 1715 and 1745.

Today, those of the MacFarquhar lineage are spread across the world. In Scotland, there is a large concentration in the Argyll area. In the United States, the name is most prevalent in California, Texas, and Minnesota.

Overall, the MacFarquhar surname is a proud reminder of a long-standing Scottish heritage. From its humble beginnings in the Highlands of Scotland to its present place in the global community, the MacFarquhar name is a testament to the strength and resilience of its people.

MacFarquhar: Where does the name MacFarquhar come from?

The last name MacFarquhar is most commonly found in the Scottish Highlands of North-East Scotland, in particular in Aberdeenshire and Morayshire. It is derived from the ancient Gaelic word "farchir" which means Love. The MacFarquhars have been a prominent family in the area for centuries and many people with the name can be found in the towns and villages both of Aberdeenshire and Morayshire, as well as a few places further south.

The most likely origins for the surname are from the descendants of Farquhar or Ferchar, a son of Kenneth mac Alpin, who is recorded as being a leader of Moray in the 10th century. MacFarquhar is a relatively uncommon name in Europe due to its small geographic footprint in Scotland, however there are still some communities carrying the name across the British Isles and beyond.

The United States is home to a large number of immigrants of Scottish descent, and while it is rare to find the MacFarquhar name in this nation now, it is likely that a few individuals have brought this last name with them to the US when they left Scotland. Likewise, MacFarquhar will be found in countries such as Australia, Canada, New Zealand, and South Africa, due to emigration from Scotland over the last few centuries.

Variations of the surname MacFarquhar

The surname MacFarquhar is a variation on the older family names MacFarlane and Maccarthur, both of which originate from Scotland. In the older Scots pages, the surname MacFarquhar appears as Macpharquhar, MacFarlan, MacFarlane, MacParquhar, and McKerquar.

The MacFarlane spelling has become leading and is the most popular variant and spelling. The surname has been adopted in many other countries and therefore represents many different spellings, most notably MacFarlane, MacFarlan, and MacParquhar.

In some cases, the name has been Anglicized and featured spelling variations making it difficult to identify its true origins. The most common variations of MacFarquhar include Mcfarlane, Macfarclan, MacPharquhart, McFarlene and MacFarlane.

The MacFarquhar family is a Scottish family name, rooted in the ancient Gaelic culture of Scotland. It is believed to be derived from the Gaelic phrase ‘Mac Phàrlain’, which means ‘son of Parlan’. It is possible that the original Parlan was a Pictish chieftain, and that the MacFarlane clan were descended from his kin.

The MacFarquhar family continues to be a popular family name in Scotland today, with many people bearing the name often taking part in local and national events. The name has also spread around the world, with many individuals taking the name into other countries and cultures, making it a globally recognized surname.

Famous people with the name MacFarquhar

• David MacFarquhar: a Scottish musician and one of the most influential figures in Scottish music in the seventies and eighties.
• Neil MacFarquhar: an American journalist, author and researcher who won a Pulitzer Prize for International Reporting in 2005 for his coverage of the Middle East for the New York Times.
• Rachel MacFarquhar: a British theatre director and set designer whose productions include 'What Fate Brought' and 'The Winter's Tale.'
• Malcolm MacFarquhar: an English actor, writer, and director who starred in 'EastEnders' and 'Holby City.'
• Kenneth MacFarquhar: a Scottish poet, playwright, and author of several books including 'The Candidate' and 'Rain in the Oak.
• Grant MacFarquhar: a Canadian painter and sculptor, who has exhibited in Europe, Canada, Australia and the United States.
• Ken MacFarquhar: a Canadian politician who served as a member of the legislative assembly for the province of British Columbia from 2001 to 2005.
• James MacFarquhar: a Scottish mathematician and physicist whose areas of study included thermodynamics, electricity and magnetism, acoustics and optics.
• Leonard MacFarquhar: an American political scientist and professor of government at Harvard University, specializing in the study of Chinese politics and policy.
• David MacFarquhar: an Australian television presenter and actor who starred on the series 'Farscape' and 'Blue Heelers.'

Other surnames

MacFarquahar