Surname MacFeater - Meaning and Origin

MacFeater: What does the surname MacFeater mean?

The surname MacFeater, which is believed to be derived from the Gaelic name MacFhiodhbhuidhe, is an old Highland Scottish clan name derived from Mac Fhiodhuibh or 'Son of the son of a bard'. Its origin has been traced to an ancestor, believed to be Rob Roy MacGregor, who was a laird in the Highlands in the sixteenth century. Although the name has Gaelic roots, it later became anglicised and adopted by Lowland Scots.

The original Gaelic form of the name MacFeater most likely suggests that its original bearer was a bard, or poet, and it could also be a shortened version of MacCuilfhoireair which translates literally as 'son of the son of the worshipper of the spear'. The meaning of the name MacFeater suggests ideas of creativity, storytelling, loyalty and even heroism.

Ultimately, the MacFeater clan emerged as a great variety of families that could be found throughout Scotland, in Inverness and Aberdeen, and moved further afield to England and beyond.

The proud and colourful history of the MacFeater families has been documented over the years and links the origins of this dignified Scottish surname with the earliest influential families in the Highlands. As such, the modern-day descendants of this clan can look to the MacFeater surname to honour their revered past.

MacFeater: Where does the name MacFeater come from?

The last name MacFeater is a sept (clan branch) of the Scottish Clan Farquharson, which first appears in records in the early 1700s. Today, the last name can mostly be found in Scotland and the United Kingdom, although it is very rare. It is not particularly common in the United States either, where the most common related names are Farquharson, Farrar, McFeather and Fether.

In Scotland, the original family seat was Invercauld Castle in Braemar in Aberdeenshire. From there, the Farquharson clan spread to nearby counties as well as the Hebrides Islands, mainly in the mid-1700s. There are still descendants of the Farquharson clan in these areas today, and many of them likely have the last name MacFeater.

The Farquharson Family Association is a group that preserves the history of the Farquharson family. Through its membership, descendants of the clan are able to connect and trace their shared roots. The association also gathers records of Farquharsons throughout the world, which likely includes the MacFeater surname as well.

Overall, MacFeater is a fairly elusive name, and it is rarely seen today. Although the surname may have been more prominent in the past, its prevalence has since diminished. But the Farquharson family continues to protect its own legacy, and many modern families still cling to their Scottish ancestry and the MacFeater name.

Variations of the surname MacFeater

MacFeater is an Anglicization of the Gaelic MacFhearghais meaning “son of Fhearghais” or more specifically “son of the angry man.”

Variant spellings of MacFeater include MacFeather, McFeaters, McFetters, MacFetters, MacPheeters, MacPetters, MacFetter, MacFeat and MacFetear. Surnames of the same origin include MacFeather, MacFeters, Fetherston, Fetters and Fettis. Additionally, other surnames with the same origin as MacFeater include MacFeat, MacPheeters, Phaire, Phareth and Fetherson.

Other Gaelic surnames related to MacFeater include MacBreathnach, MacBrady, and MacCullough which refer in some cases to their physical characteristics.

Alternative spellings of MacFeater, in addition to the ones listed above, can also include MacFayter and MacFeter. Variations in pronunciation also exist, such as Fetter, Feater, Featy, Fyteh, and Fytes.

The various spellings and surnames of MacFeater can be traced back to their Gaelic roots. Knowing the etymology of this surname can help genealogists trace the line back to its ancestor.

Famous people with the name MacFeater

• Kathryn MacFeater: singer/songwriter best known for her hit song "Complicated" and her debut album "Dreaming of a Secret".
• Chris MacFeater: actor and comedian, best known for his roles in the films “Hired to Kill” and “The Bride Wore Red”.
• Jacob MacFeater: professional figure skater and Olympic gold medalist.
• Mark MacFeater: folk singer and composer, known for his album “Gone So Far”.
• Eric MacFeater: visual artist whose works in photography, painting, and sculpture have been exhibited around the world.
• Poppy MacFeater: British actress, best known for her roles in the plays “The King’s Speech” and “Shakespeare’s Last Will and Testament”.
• Eleni MacFeater: American fashion designer whose couture designs have been featured in various fashion shows.
• Eva MacFeater: author and journalist, whose works in travel writing and memoirs have been published widely.
• Leanna MacFeater: professional ballet dancer and choreographer, most notably appearing in the New York City Ballet Company and featured in various music videos.
• Robert MacFeater: professional golfer and winner of several tournaments, including the 2014 Masters.

Other surnames

MacFeat