Surname MacTurc - Meaning and Origin
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MacTurc: What does the surname MacTurc mean?
MacTurc is a surname of Irish origin. The prefix "Mac" in Irish names typically means "son of". The "Turc" part of the surname comes from a personal name, likely referring to a forebear of the initial bearer of this name. Unfortunately, the exact meaning of "Turc" is not clear. It could potentially be a short form of a longer Irish name or potentially a reference to someone of Turkish descent or connection, but this is just academic speculation. Another theory suggests that the name derives from the Gaelo-Latin "Theotric", which means "people's ruler". It's important to note that meanings of surnames can be notoriously difficult to pin down precisely due to the passage of time and the evolution of language. Nevertheless, the MacTurc surname holds importance in Irish genealogy and family history.
Order DNA origin analysisMacTurc: Where does the name MacTurc come from?
The last name MacTurc is most commonly found in Scotland, Ireland, and Canada today. In Scotland, the name is associated with the Clan MacTavish and its branches, having descended from Princes of the ancient kingdom of Dál Riata. The Clan members are descendants of King Dubh, the second King of the kingdom. The name is also found in many parts of Ireland, particularly in County Mayo as well as counties Cork, Galway, Clare, and Limerick.
In Canada, MacTurc has been a prominent name since the 19th century, with many settling in or near the maritime provinces of Nova Scotia and New Brunswick. Many descendants of the original MacTurcs can still be found in rural communities throughout these areas.
The last name is seemingly less common today, but people bearing the Macintosh, MacTavish, and MacTurc surnames are still found across Scotland, Ireland, and Canada. These individuals are proud of their family's legacy as descendants of ancient Scottish royalty, and still celebrate their heritage with traditional feasts, clan meetings, and Highland Games.
Variations of the surname MacTurc
MacTurc is a surname of Gaelic origin, typically seen in Scotland. The Gaelic spelling of the surname is Mac Thoirce, pronounced “mock-hor-ka”. Variants of the name include MacTorse, MacThurc, MacThoirc, MacThorca, Thurso, and Thursoe.
The MacTorse, MacThurc, and MacThoirc variants all stem from the original spelling, MacThoirce. These spellings are variations seen in documents from the 14th and 15th centuries. The MacThorca variant is a contraction of MacThoirce; it is sometimes seen as being linguistically more similar to Scots Gaelic. The Thurso and Thursoe spellings are derived from MacThoirce or MacTorse, and were often used in the 16th and 17th centuries.
The surname MacTurc is also seen in many countries around the world, as MacTurcs are among the oldest Scottish clans still in existence. Variations of the surname can be found in Australia, Canada, Ireland, the United States, and the United Kingdom.
Scotland has a history of centuries of emigration, resulting in the spread of the MacTurc surname across the world. MacTurc is also sometimes spelled MacTurk, and is sometimes seen in the United States alongside other surnames derived from the Scottish MacTurc, such as Makturk, MacTork, and Maktalk.
Famous people with the name MacTurc
- Daniel MacTurc: Scottish footballer who currently plays for East Stirling FC.
- Sean MacTurc: former professional ice hockey player from Canada.
- Angus MacTurc: Scottish writer and editor, best known for his novels and short stories.
- Audrey MacTurc: Canadian singer-songwriter and poet.
- Ridley MacTurc: British composer and conductor.
- Thomas MacTurc: American politician from Virginia.
- Richard MacTurc: British race car driver and team owner.
- Gordon MacTurc: American professional baseball player.
- Aidan MacTurc: Irish musician, composer and producer.
- John MacTurc: Australian actor who has appeared in numerous films and television series.