Surname Magrath - Meaning and Origin

Magrath: What does the surname Magrath mean?

The surname Magrath is of Irish origin and derives from the Gaelic term "Mac Craith," which means "son of grace." It is a patronymic name, which essentially refers to names that are derived from the father's name. The lineage of this surname can be traced back to ancient times in Ireland. There were two prominent Gaelic families carrying the Magrath surname, one resided in County Clare while the other was found in the Counties of Tipperary and Waterford. Members of these families have traditionally been known as scholars, historians, and clerics throughout the history of Ireland. As with many Irish names, there are several variants of the original name due to Anglicization, such as McGrath, MacGrath, and even McGraw. Though the meaning pertains to Irish heritage, it is now used by people around the world due to migration and diaspora.

Magrath: Where does the name Magrath come from?

The surname Magrath is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Craith." The term "Mac" signifies "son of" while "Craith" could mean "grace" or "prosperity." The name denoted lineage, specifically being the “son of grace/prosperity." The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Miler Magrath who was the Archbishop of Cashel during the reign of Queen Elizabeth I. Over years, the spelling has changed, and variations such as McGrath, MacGrath, McGraw, and Magraw have emerged.

As for its prevalence today, the surname is commonly found in Ireland, particularly the regions of Ulster, Munster, and Leinster. It also has a significant presence in countries where there has been historical Irish migration, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. There is also a town named Magrath in Alberta, Canada, named after Charles Alexander Magrath, an early 20th-century land surveyor. The name Magrath remains intrinsically linked with the Irish cultural heritage.

Variations of the surname Magrath

The surname Magrath has diverse variants and spellings which have emerged through centuries due to differences in dialects, translations, and phonetic spellings. These include McGrath, MacGrath, MagRaith, Magraw, McGraw, and MacGraw. It can also appear as McGra, McGrah, Magrath, Megrath, MacRaith, MacGraith, McCreagh, MacCraith, and Makrayth among many others.

This ancient Irish surname comes from the Gaelic "Mac Craith" or "Mag Raith" where ‘Mac’ or ‘Mag’ means son and 'Raith’ or ‘Rath’ stands for grace or prosperity and thus connotes "son of grace or prosperity". The surname is primarily associated with Counties Donegal, Tyrone, Clare, and Waterford in Ireland.

Variations are also seen in different countries due to localization and adaptation, and changes in pronunciation and spelling to match the local language phonetics. For instance, in Scotland, a similar surname, MacGraith or MacGrath is found, which shares roots with the Irish Magrath.

Several family lines that bear these versions of the Magrath surname exist across the globe, especially in the United States, Canada, Australia, England, Scotland, and other countries where Irish diaspora is prominently found.

Famous people with the name Magrath

• Dermot Magrath: An Irish cricketer who represented the Ireland cricket team from 1996 to 2002.
• Natasha Magrath: A British actress best known for her role in the British TV series "The Cazalets."
• Seana Magrath: A footballer who plays as a forward for Northern Ireland and Women's Premiership club Glentoran.
• Desmond Digby Magrath: An Australian theatre designer, illustrator, and painter known for his works in children's books, ballet, opera, and plays.
• Ken Magrath: An English cricketer who played for Leicestershire between 1964 and 1971.
• Manfreda de Magrath: An Irish-born priest and judge who became Archdeacon of Cloyne.
• Conor Magrath: An Irish hurler who played as a forward for the Tipperary senior team.
• Martin Magrath: A Gaelic footballer from Northern Ireland who has played for Fermanagh and Antrim.
• Meaghan Magrath: A Canadian ice hockey player in the NCAA.
• Sasha Magrath: An Australian contemporary dance artist, particularly noted for her work with Unspoken Language Dance Company. Please note that not all of these people may be widely recognized as "famous," but they have achieved a certain level of prominence in their respective fields.

Other surnames

Magraith