Surname Macrath - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
Macrath: What does the surname Macrath mean?
Macrath is an Irish surname of Gaelic origin. The name is an amalgamation of two separate words, 'Mac' meaning 'son of' and 'Rath,' which translates to 'grace' or 'prosperity.' Therefore, Macrath can be interpreted as 'Son of Grace' or 'Son of Prosperity'. The MacRath clan has its roots in County Clare on the west coast of Ireland. Like many Gaelic names, it has been anglicized over the centuries and can be found in various forms, including McGrath, McGraw, and MacGrath. Despite its Irish origins, the surname is now found around the world due to Irish emigration, especially during the time of the Great Famine in the mid-19th century. The name may also be associated with certain profiles, characteristics, or professions according to traditional family name beliefs in Irish culture.
Order DNA origin analysisMacrath: Where does the name Macrath come from?
The Macrath surname originated from the Scottish and Irish lands. The name has Gaelic roots, derived from the personal name "Riabhach", meaning "brindle" or "grizzled." In the Gaelic form, it typically appears as Mac Raith or Mac Raibh. The name then moved to Ireland with the migration of clans and further evolved into different variants, including McGrath, Magrath, and MacGrath.
The Macrath surname, along with its variations, is most common today in Ireland, particularly in the regions of Munster and Ulster where notable members of the Macrath clan have left their historical mark. It is relatively common in Scotland as well, and distribution maps indicate a significant number of individuals with the Macrath surname in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, due to the emigration of Irish and Scottish families throughout the centuries. Like many surnames, the Macrath name's frequency can vary, and it might exist in higher or lower numbers in different countries or even within a single country's geographical regions.
Variations of the surname Macrath
The surname Macrath has origin from Gaelic "Mac Raith", where “mac” means son and “raith” is known to mean prosperity or grace. The anglicized versions of the name are Magrath, Magraw, and McGraw, whilst the Gaelic spelling can be MacCreith or MacRaoith. Other anglicized forms are MacGraw, MacCraw, MacGraith, Magraith, MacCreight, and McGreight.
It’s important to note that these variations occured as written records were not standardized during the Middle Ages which led to the scribes recording names according to their sound, leading to many spelling variations.
Being a patronymic origin surname, it notably belongs to both Irish and Scottish genealogy. In Ireland, the MacRaith or MacGrath clan hailed primarily from Counties Clare, Tipperary and Waterford, whilst in Scotland, they were part of the Highland clan MacRae. These distinct lineages can also sometimes affect the spelling and variant of the surname.
Lastly, while the variations of the name are already numerous, they can multiply when integrated into non-English speaking country, such as McGrath becoming McGrattan in French.
Famous people with the name Macrath
- Richard Macrath: an American comedic actor, writer, and musician.
- John Macrath: a Scottish-born Canadian public figure and justice of the peace in Victoria, British Columbia.
- James Macrath: a Scottish-born Australian geologist and writer.
- Charles Macrath: a historian and one of the founders of the American Academy of Arts and Sciences.
- Heather Macrath: a Canadian-American actor and voice-over artist.
- Stephen Macrath: an American author and speaker on education, race, and public policy.
- William Macrath: a Canadian artist and sculptor, specializing in bronze and stone sculptures.
- Malcolm Macrath: a British medical researcher and professor at the University of Glasgow.
- Simon Macrath: a British entrepreneur, investor, and philanthropist.
- Frances Macrath: an American royal chef, noted for having cooked for members of the British Royal Family.