Surname MacIntyres - Meaning and Origin

MacIntyres: What does the surname MacIntyres mean?

The surname MacIntyres originated in Scotland and is thought to be derived from the ancient Irish Mac Aonghuis or Mac an T-sagairt which translates to "son of the priest". It is thought to have been derived from an ancient sept of the Dalriadan Scots who descended from Finlay, King of Scotland in the ninth century who was a descendant from the Royal House of Conn of the Hundred Battles.

The name has various spellings, including MacIntyres, MacIntyre, MacEntire, MacEnteer, McEntyre and McEntire, reflecting the various languages which have influenced the phonetics of the name.

The MacIntyre clan historically held lands in the south-western region of Scotland, near the county borders of Argyll and Bute, Lochaber and in County Perth. The MacIntyre name is associated with both direct and indirect lineal descendance from the Royal House of MacDuffy and the Royal House of Keppoch.

The MacIntyre still remain a proud and distinctive clan today, and members of the family are renowned as fiercely independent and loyal Scots. The MacIntyre motto is "Dissolute Non Stat", which means "things shall not stand". Because of their symbol, a Lochaber axe, they are sometimes known as ‘Clann nan T’sudair’ which translates as "family of the carpenter".

MacIntyres: Where does the name MacIntyres come from?

The last name MacIntyres is most commonly found today in Scotland and around the British Isles. Some Scottish MacIntyre clans trace their origin to the13th century, and they are heavily concentrated in the Argyll region.

Macintyres can also be found in the US and Canada, though these likely came from Scottish immigrants who settled in the New World. The earliest known MacIntyres in the US date back to the late 18th century, with families settling in New York and Massachusetts during this time.

Canada has a much larger population of MacIntyres, with the earliest settlers arriving in Nova Scotia and Ontario in 1800. Today, MacIntyres are scattered throughout the country, with large numbers in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia. These populations are a result of further migrations in the 19th century.

Despite the fact that the MacIntyre families originated in Scotland, those who now live in other parts of the world usually trace their ancestry to Scotland. MacIntyres are very proud of their heritage and continue to show strong ties to their homeland through Clan MacIntyre gatherings and Celtic festivals.

Variations of the surname MacIntyres

MacIntyres is an ancient Scottish surname from the region of Argyll. The variants and spellings of the surname include Macintyre, McIntyre, MacEntyre, MacEntire, and MacAnTire, among others. The most popular variant, Macintyre, is generally pronounced with a hard ‘i’, rather than a soft one.

The many variants and spellings of the MacIntyre surname are believed to have evolved over time. In Gaelic, the name Mac an tSaoir, meaning ‘son of the craftsman’ is thought to be the original form of the name, before being shortened and anglicized, while other versions may have arisen from local speakers pronouncing the words differently over time.

The surname is also known by various other spellings in Irish, such as Mac the tidier, and as McEntire, and MacIntire in Manx. In Scotland the surname is most commonly associated with the Clan MacIntyre, whose roots stem from the ancient Scottish region of Argyll.

The popularity of MacIntyre’s as a surname can also be seen in other countries, with many American families tracing their roots back to Scotland, and internationally the name is sometimes used in a variety of countries such as Malta, Canada, and England.

Regardless of its spelling and variant, MacIntyres as a surname is an ancient one, with strong roots in Scotland, and many families around the world bearing this name as a reminder of their heritage.

Famous people with the name MacIntyres

• Sir John A. MacIntyre: Former Governor General of Canada
• Tavis MacIntyre: American Actor
• Marshall MacIntyre: Scottish Professional Golfer
• Alastair MacIntyre: Scottish Philosopher
• Alistair MacIntyre: British Artist
• Helen MacIntyre: Scottish Literary Agent
• Hamish MacIntyre: Scottish Chess Grandmaster
• Malcolm MacIntyre: American Adventurer and 225-day Pacific Ocean Rower
• The Big MacIntyre: Professional Wrestler, Real Name: Robert Hugh MacIntyre
• Eric MacIntyre: American-Canadian Film Director and Producer

Other surnames

MacIntyre