Surname MacQuinter - Meaning and Origin
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MacQuinter: What does the surname MacQuinter mean?
The surname MacQuinter is an Anglicised form of the Highland Scottish Gaelic Mac an t-Saoir, which in English translates to meaning ‘son of the craftsman’. While the root of the surname is Irish, the surname is typically linked to Scotland and often found in the Scottish Highlands region. Due to its geographical origin, MacQuinter is often linked with tribalism and the collective identity of the Scottish clan system that existed in the Highlands during the Middle Ages.
It is likely that the MacQuinter surname emerged shortly after the 11th century when the King of Scots, Malcolm III, sought to set up a powerful kingdom with a strong system of political and economic control. This brought forth a need for skilled craftsman who could support this endeavour, and thus several craftsman families from Ireland settled in the region. From this, the original ‘saoir’ or craftsman, multiplied and spread out around the Highlands, eventually each family branching off and taking on the appropriately Gaelic surname Mac an t-Saoir.
MacQuinter is still an occasionally used surname, but due to the passage of time and changing perception of family surnames, the meaning of the Mac an t-Saoir has been largely forgotten.
Order DNA origin analysisMacQuinter: Where does the name MacQuinter come from?
The last name MacQuinter is fairly rare in the modern world, but was once common among citizens of Scotland. In fact, the name derives from Old Gaelic and has roots in a few kisses throughout the British Isles. In Scotland, many citizens with the last name MacQuinter were found living near the River Tay. In some areas of Scotland, tracks of the MacQuinter name still remain today, with small clusters of residents keeping the name alive.
In recent years, the name has spread across English-speaking countries, such as Canada, the United States, and Australia, as well as to other nations through immigration. In some cases, they have adapted the name into another form, such as Quinters or MacQuinnter. According to the 2000 United States Census, the last name MacQuinter is more common in the Midwestern and Northeastern regions of the United States than in other places.
Despite the vast distances between them, MacQuinter families have worked hard to form a network and remain in contact with each other. This network has helped form a supportive community and the shared history has allowed descendants of the MacQuinter name to stay close and connected even after being spread throughout the world.
Variations of the surname MacQuinter
The surname MacQuinter is an Anglicized form of the Scottish surname Mac an tSaoir which means "son of the carpenter". It is a sept of the clan Campbell. Variants of the spelling include MacQuintaire, McKenter, McKwintar, and Makkwinter.
The anglicized clans usually took their name from their place of origin, and MacQuinter can be an anglicization of Mac an tSaoir of Maccaon in Lorne, Argyllshire or in the Barony of Knapdale, Argyllshire.
Other spellings of the name include MacKwnter, MacWanter, MacKinter, and MakFindeair. Surnames derived from MacQuinter include Quinter, Kwintar, and MacQuinty.
The Gaelic form of MacQuinter is Mac an tSaoir, which is also found in the spellings MacAntsherry, Machentenary, and Machentere. The Irish form is MacFinteir, which is also found in many spellings including MacFenteer, MacFantair, and McFantaire.
The name is also found in France and Germany in the forms of McKonder and Makwander. In France, variants of the spelling include Macquonter, Makwenster, and Maquanter. The Germanic spellings are Makwenter, Macvinter, and Makwender.
In any form, the surname MacQuinter is an anglicized form of the Scottish surname Mac an tSaoir which means "son of the carpenter". This places the surname in the Clan Campbell, and the variants and spellings of MacQuinter provide insight into the history of the clan and the surname over time.
Famous people with the name MacQuinter
- Catherine MacQuinter: American film, stage, and television actress.
- Brooke MacQuinter: American television and film actress.
- Leslie MacQuinter: American actress and model.
- Mary MacQuinter: American author and musician.
- William MacQuinter: British actor and voice artist.
- Jean MacQuinter: British actress and comedian.
- Ruth MacQuinter: Spanish journalist and television presenter.
- Simon MacQuinter: Australian entrepreneur and philanthropist.
- Richard MacQuinter: Canadian actor and producer.
- Joseph MacQuinter: American aerospace engineer.