Surname MacInroy - Meaning and Origin

MacInroy: What does the surname MacInroy mean?

The last name MacInroy is an Anglicized form of a Gaelic surname of unknown origin, possibly derived from the Gaelic Mac an Robh, meaning "son of the pour". The Clan MacInroy is first recorded in 1204, when they supported the Clan Donald in the Battle of Bower.

Historically, the MacInroys were fierce warriors and they fought alongside the other powerful clans of the Highlands. Some suggest that the last name may have originated from an English patronymic form, ‘McEnree’, which after becoming shortened was taken on as ‘MacInroy.’

The clan was divided into two groups: the MacInroys of Baihul and the MacInroys of UchdRuma. Each group was loyal to either the ClanMacDonald or ClanMacKay and had a strong military reputation.

The MacInroys were important allies of the MacDonald's and were instrumental in supporting decades old feuds against other clans, such as the Campbells. The clan fought alongside many other Highland clans during the Jacobite risings and following defeat were outlawed.

Although the MacInroys may not be as well-known as other Scottish clans, the name remains as a testament to the loyalty the clan showed to its allies and their ability to endure despite turbulent times.

MacInroy: Where does the name MacInroy come from?

The last name MacInroy is a Scottish surname that originated from the Scottish Highlands, stretching back to the 13th century. It is a locational name derived from a place-name in Kirkcudbrightshire, located in the modern-day region of Dumfries and Galloway. The most common location associated with the MacInroy surname is Castle MacInroy, also known as the "MacInroy Fort", where the profiling event of the Battle of Glentrool took place in 1790.

Today, the last name MacInroy is mainly found in Scotland, with large populations located in the south of the country, especially in Glasgow. The MacInroy family still holds strong links with the Glentrool region and is heavily featured in local folklore and culture.

MacInroys can also be found in many other parts of the world, including Speyside and North America. In the United States, cities with significant numbers of MacInroys include, Houston, Los Angeles, and numerous cities throughout Texas. In Canada, especially in western provinces, the surname is less common but is still present in the larger cities.

In today’s globalised world, MacInroys can be found scattered across the globe. No matter the location, those with the MacInroy surname are still proud of the family’s Highland roots, preserving its culture and heritage across the centuries.

Variations of the surname MacInroy

The variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacInroy are MacIroy, MacIrew, MacInrye, MacInri, MacIneir, MacInrae, MacInrath, MacInre, MacKinere, MacIneir, and MacInrease.

MacInroy is an anglicized form of the Gaelic surname Mac an Rìgh, meaning 'son of the king'. It is primarily used in Scotland, where it ranks among the top 50 most common surnames. The MacInroy clan is possibly descended from Ivar, Lord of Argyll, and believed to be descendants of Kenneth MacAlpin, who reigned over the Scots and Picts in the ninth century.

MacIroy is a variant of MacInroy, and is most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland. MacIrew is another variant of the same surname, used by some Scottish families. MacInrye is a variant found in Scotland. MacInri is another variant, and primarily found in Scotland. MacIneir is a variant of MacInroy, and is also most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland. MacInrae can also be found as a variant of MacInroy, and is used by some Scottish families.

MacInrath is a spelling variant of MacInroy, and is found primarily in Scotland. MacInre is another variant of MacInroy, and is found mostly in Scotland. MacKinere is another variant, which is primarily found in Scotland. MacIneir is a variant of MacInroy, and is also commonly found in Scotland and Ireland. MacInrease is a variant of the surname, which is found mainly in Scotland.

Famous people with the name MacInroy

• Dave McInroy: English professional Poker Player.
• Julie McInroy: American actress, best known for her roles in "Suits" and "Tin Star".
• Ally MacInroy: British stylist and TV presenter.
• Lorne MacInroy: Canadian professional ice hockey player.
• Brendan MacInroy: Scottish musician and composer.
• Paul MacInroy: American Olympic swimmer.
• Seth MacInroy: Canadian professional soccer player.
• Kathryn MacInroy: Irish politician and deputy leader of Fianna Fáil.
• John MacInroy: British actor, film producer, and scriptwriter.
• Alison MacInroy: Canadian singer and songwriter.
• Shannon MacInroy: American singer and songwriter.
• Jennifer MacInroy: American journalist and television reporter.
• Ross MacInroy: Scottish politician and Member of Parliament for East Lothian.
• Christopher MacInroy: Canadian actor and film producer.
• Jemma MacInroy: Australian professional tennis player.
• Ed MacInroy: American actor and former NFL player.
• Joe MacInroy: Canadian professional lacrosse player.
• Siobhan MacInroy: Irish singer and actress.
• Jack MacInroy: Scottish actor and comedian.
• Fraser MacInroy: Australian musical theatre writer and director.

Other surnames

MacInroe