Surname Macrach - Meaning and Origin
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Macrach: What does the surname Macrach mean?
The last name Macrach is derived from the Gaelic personal name Lochlann. It is a patronymic surname derived from the Gaelic prefix "Mac" meaning "son of" and the personal name "Ragh" which means descendant of Lochlan. It is believed that the origin of this surname originated in the northern part of Ireland.
The name Macrach is associated with several prominent clans including the powerful clans of O'Neill and O'Connor, as well as the main Irish sept of Clan MacRagh. It is noted that the ancestral line of the O'Niells was once called Clan MacRagh, and it is thought that the MacRagh sept may even have existed as far back as the beginning of the attributes of Irish chieftains.
The Macrach surname is found primarily in the County Ulster region of Ireland, particularly in Ulster, Wexford, and Mayo. While the Irish surname has primarily been associated with Ireland, the Macrach surname has a strong presence in Scotland as well, where it was brought to by the Ulster Scots during the middle ages.
Throughout its history, the name Macrach has been closely associated with the great clans of the region, such as the O'Neills and the O'Connors. The Macrach were closely linked with the O'Neills, who were a powerful sept within the region, and were among the most powerful of the Irish clans. To this day, many Macrach trace their roots back to the ancient clan system of the tribes of Ireland.
Order DNA origin analysisMacrach: Where does the name Macrach come from?
The surname Macrach appears to have Celtic origins, specifically from Scotland or Ireland; however, data on this surname is relatively scarce, suggesting that it's not very common or could've undergone various transitions over centuries.
'Mac' in Gaelic translates to 'son of', commonly indicating Scottish or Irish surnames, but the exact meaning or origin of 'rach' is unclear. It might be a variation of 'reach' or 'riagh', which in some cases, may refer to a king or ruler.
Today, the exact distribution of this surname is somewhat unclear due to its rarity. It's possible that it may exist in regions with a strong Irish and Scottish diaspora like the United States, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. To ascertain detailed information, a comprehensive genealogical survey would be required to trace the meaningful paths of the Macrach surname globally. Keep in mind that spelling variations, phonetic spellings, and anglicization may have also obscured the surname's original form, making it difficult to trace.
Variations of the surname Macrach
The surname Macrach is of Scottish origin. It appears to be somewhat rare and has multiple variations in spelling. Some of these could be MacRaith, MacRath, MacCrack, and MacKrack. All these variants are based on phonetic interpretations of the original name. Surnames weren't standardized until recent centuries, so diverse translations of Gaelic names were recorded during the Middle Ages and even later.
Nicknames for Macrach families could also potentially be derived from these variations. Additionally, families often took on different surnames for various reasons such as emigration, changing social status, or simply personal preference. However, tracking these kinds of changes can be complex.
It's also worth noting that surnames often have different versions when translated into various languages. For example, the Irish equivalent of Macrach might differ slightly.
Since Macrach is a rare surname, the exact origins and full list of variations may not be clearly documented. Genealogical research or a detailed exploration of Scottish historical records would provide a more comprehensive list of potential variants, spellings, and related surnames.
Famous people with the name Macrach
- Alan Macrachan- Former professional football player from Scotland.
- Sheonagh Macrachan- Scottish Gaelic language writer and poet.
- William MacRae- Former English professional footballer.
- William Macrae- Scottish actor with roles in films such as Mrs Brown and The Borrowers.
- Ailrig MacRaa- Scottish actor, best known for his roles in TV shows such as The Prime of Miss Jean Brodie and Monarch of the Glen.
- William Macrae- British painter, photographer, and printmaker known for his landscapes and portraits.
- Ronald Macrae- Scottish composer best known for the music he wrote for the television series Highlander.
- William Macrae- Political philosopher, professor and author known for his writing on the principles of democracy.
- Donald McRachan- Veteran of the Royal Canadian Air Force.
- Hector MacRae- Canadian professional rugby union player.
- Gregor Macrach- Scottish artist and illustrator born in 1961.
- Finlay MacRae- Canadian lawyer and former chief justice of the Supreme Court of British Columbia.
- Adrienne MacRae- Canadian playwright and theatre producer.
- Ned Macrachan- Scottish glass-maker and enamel artist.
- Fraser MacRae- New Zealand firefighter and poet.