Surname McBride - Meaning and Origin

iGENEA DNA Test: Uncovering Ancient Roots and Redefining the McBride Identity

Peeling back the curtain to my lineage through the iGENEA DNA test has reshaped my understanding of the surname McBride and my familial identity. The connection to the ancient Celts of Ireland and the deeper significance of the moniker – a testament to an exalted Celtic goddess – has transformed my perception of my identity and its intrinsic values swirling around resilience, creativity and intellectualism.

L. McBride

McBride: What does the surname McBride mean?

The surname McBride is of Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Brighde" which translates to "son of Brighde". Brighde is a personal name equivalent of the Irish saint’s name Brigid, meaning “the exalted one” or “strength”. There are several variations of spelling including MacBride, McBrearty, and others. The name is commonly found in Ulster and Scotland, especially in the Western Isles and Isle of Skye. It largely spread during the 17th century due to the migration of people from Ulster to Scotland. Today, while the surname McBride can be found around the world, it remains most common in Ireland and Scotland. Surnames were often used to denote a son’s lineage, a person’s occupation, or a geographical feature of the person’s residence, hence the interpretation of McBride as "son of Brighde".

McBride: Where does the name McBride come from?

The last name McBride is of Irish and Scottish origin. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Brighde which means "son of Brighid" or "son of the exalted one". The name Brighid or Brigid is derived from a Celtic goddess who was a patroness of poetry, smithing, medicine, arts and crafts, cattle and other livestock, sacred wells, the arrival of early spring, and more.

The McBride surname is especially common in Ireland, Scotland, and countries of the British Commonwealth such as Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and England. It is also prevalent in the United States, primarily due to Irish and Scottish immigration during the 19th and 20th centuries. While it is common throughout these countries, it tends to be most concentrated in the regions of Ulster in Ireland and Western Scotland.

Variations of the surname McBride

The surname McBride is derived from the Gaelic Mac Bríde, meaning 'son of Brigid'. Variations of the surname often reflect regional differences in pronunciation and spelling, as well as adaptations to different languages.

Variant spellings and form of McBride can include MacBride, McBryde, MacBryde, Bride, Bryde, and McBrady. In some cases, anglicized versions of the name drop the "Mc" or "Mac" prefix altogether, resulting in names like Bride and Bryde.

The surname also lends itself to a variety of phonetic spellings, which represent attempts to transliterate the name into other languages or to simplify it for speakers of non-Gaelic languages. These versions can include forms like McBreed, McBryd, McBryed, McBrid, McBryed, or McBridge.

It's also not uncommon for surnames to undergo significant changes as families move to different countries and adapt to different languages; the original Gaelic Mac Bríde could be altered in several ways depending on the specific linguistic environment. Thus, in some instances, McBride can be found under completely different but etymologically related forms, such as MacBride, MacBrady or even O'Brady in Ireland.

Please note that while these various forms are similar and/or related to McBride, they represent distinct families and lineages. Their mention here isn't suggesting that all of these names have a common origin, but rather that they could potentially be connected due to linguistic similarities and shared geographical origins.

Famous people with the name McBride

• Martin McBride: Former British Prime Minister
• Mel McBride: American Actress
• John McBride: Irish Actor and Singer
• Bryan McBride: Professional Football Player
• Kelly McBride: American Sports Writer
• Sam McBride: Northern Irish Journalist
• Russ McBride: American Actor
• Peter McBride: Australian Singer
• Mary McBride: American Singer-Songwriter
• Steve McBride: Voice Actor
• Tristan McBride: American Actor
• Sandy McBride: Canadian Politician
• Mark McBride: American Musician
• Dan McBride: American Basketball Player
• John McBride: Gold Medal Olympic Ice Hockey Player
• Rene McBride: Canadian Curler
• Kerry McBride: British Actress
• Mike McBride: American Politician
• Chris McBride: Soccer/Football Player
• Elks McBride: Indian Freedom Fighter.

Other surnames

McBriar