Surname MacKerracher - Meaning and Origin
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MacKerracher: What does the surname MacKerracher mean?
The last name MacKerracher is a Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic "MacGorraiche," which roughly translates to "son of the turner," or "son of a craftsman who turns objects with a lathe." Likely, it was a nickname that referred to the distinctive trade of the family's ancestor.
The name first appeared in the early 1400s on the Isle of Skye in Scotland, and the family was closely associated with the high-ranking clan MacLeod. Over the years, variants of this last name have spread around the world. MacKerracher and its variant spellings, such as MacKeracher, MacKerrow, and McRorick, are found across Scotland, Ireland, England, Canada, and the United States.
These days, MacKerracher is a proud last name that is associated with hard work, loyalty, and strength. It is a fitting testament to the tenacious spirit and work ethic of the MacKerracher family and its ancestors, who forged a unique legacy.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKerracher: Where does the name MacKerracher come from?
The last name MacKerracher is primarily found today in Scotland and in Canadian provinces such as Ontario, Nova Scotia, and British Columbia. It's also found across the United States, in countries like Australia, New Zealand, Ireland, and even South Africa.
The MacKerracher surname is believed to derive from the Gaelic MacGriogair or Mag Riocard, which means "son of Griogair or Riogaird". The personal name Rory or Roger was derived from the name Riocard.
The earliest records of the Mackerracher surname in Scotland were in the 16th century in Aberdeenshire. One of the most prominent families to carry the name was the Mackerrachers of Canisbay in Caithness. The Mackerracher estates were sold in the 1670s and the family moved to Edinburgh.
The first MacKerracher settlers in Canada date back to the mid-1800s, when many Scots left their homeland in search of new opportunities. Between 1851 and 1911, nearly 200,000 Scots emigrated to Canada, most arriving in the provinces of Ontario, Nova Scotia and British Columbia.
MacKerracher is a fairly uncommon surname today. It is estimated that only around 1,000 individuals worldwide bear the MacKerracher surname today.
Variations of the surname MacKerracher
The surname MacKerracher is most commonly spelled MacKerracher, but there is also a variation of the spelling as MacKeracher. Both spellings are derived from an Old Norse personal name ‘Karr‘ which means protégé or aprentice, as well as ‘Skirr‘ which can mean ‘to cut’ or ‘peel’ when put together, leading to the meaning ‘one who carves’ or ‘one who helps to shape’.
The surnames MacKerracher and MacKeracher are often found to be interchangeable, however, there are also alternative surnames derived from the same origin. These surnames are MacKerchar, MacKercher, MacKerr, MacKerrah, Mac Keersh, MacKirrah and MacKersh.
As with other Old Norse inspired surnames, many variations of the MacKerracher name are found in different countries. In Scotland, variants of the name have been found as Mackarrah, MacCaracher and McKeerh. It is argued that the spelling of the name has been gradually altered through its distribution throughout the British Isles and other parts of the world.
In Ireland, combinations of the MacKerracher and MacKerchard name have been found, varying as MacCarcher and MacCarraher. Variants of the surname can also be found in Shetland, where variations such as Mackarecher and MacKerch are found.
Within the United States, Makarkercher and Makarharracher have been found to be used. Variants of the MacKerracher name can also be found in Canada, such as the Makarracher and MaKerracher as well.
In conclusion, the surname MacKerracher has a variety of variants, spellings and surnames derived from its Old Norse origins, with the variants being found in the different locations throughout the UK, Ireland, United States and Canada.
Famous people with the name MacKerracher
- Keir MacKerracher: Canadian professional golfer who won the 1987 Friendly Bingo Classic.
- Jaime MacKerracher: Scottish professional wrestler who competed mainly in the British Wrestling Federation.
- John MacKerracher: Scottish amateur golfer and champion of the 1910 Amateur Championship.
- Don MacKerracher: Canadian weightlifter who represented Canada at the 1984 Summer Olympics in the 62 kg category.
- Mike MacKerracher: Canadian lacrosse player who played for the Hamilton Bengals of the Major Series Lacrosse.
- Graham MacKerracher: Scottish footballer who played as a winger in the 1980s and 1990s for Stirling Albion and Ross County.
- Laird MacKerracher: Canadian film editor who has worked on films like "The Fly" and "Dead Alive".
- Wilfred MacKerracher: Canadian Anglican bishop and the first Bishop of Rupert's Land, an area covering most of modern-day Manitoba, Canada.
- Tom MacKerracher: Scottish rugby union player who represented Scotland at the 1924 Olympics as well as for the Scotland national team.
- Angus MacKerracher: Canadian bridge player who won the Canadian Intercollegiate Bridge Championship.