Surname McBurnie - Meaning and Origin

McBurnie: What does the surname McBurnie mean?

The surname McBurnie is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic patronymic name Mac Burnie. The prefix 'Mac' means 'son of', while 'Burnie' could be a variant of 'Burn', an occupational surname for a keeper of official records or a blacksmith. The last name McBurnie could, therefore, be interpreted as 'son of Burnie' or 'son of the record keeper', or 'son of the blacksmith'. Like many Scottish surnames, it was probably given to a son who took his father's profession. The spelling of Scottish names often changed over centuries depending on various factors like regional dialects and Anglicization. Therefore, there are several variations of the name including MacBurney and MacBurnie. It's important to note that meanings and origins of surnames can be complex and uncertain, with different sources sometimes providing differing interpretations. As such, the above should be considered a general guideline rather than an absolute fact.

McBurnie: Where does the name McBurnie come from?

The last name McBurnie has its origins in Scotland. It belongs to the category of 'patronymic' surnames, which are derived from the father's given name. "Mc" is an abbreviation of the Gaelic "Mac," meaning "son," while "Burnie" may have come from a diminutive form of the personal name "Burns" or from the Scottish term "burnie" which refers to a small stream. So the surname essentially signifies 'son of Burnie.'

McBurnie, like many other Scottish surnames, has been dispersed widely due to historical factors such as the Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries. The migration of Scots to places like North America, Australasia, and other parts of the English-speaking world has made the name McBurnie present around the globe.

However, today, it remains more common in areas with significant populations of people of Scottish descent, including Scotland itself and parts of England, as well as countries such as Australia, Canada, and the United States. Census records suggest a higher concentration of people with the McBurnie surname in these areas, though it is not among the most common surnames globally.

Variations of the surname McBurnie

The surname McBurnie is of Scottish origin and is categorized under the ethnic group of British and Irish. It is believed to have been derived from the Gaelic name Mac a' Bhurnaich, which literally translates as "son of the blacksmith.”

Variations and spellings of the surname McBurnie could include Burnie, McBernie, McBirnie, Burney, M'Burnie, MacBurnie, MacBernie, MacBirnie, MacBurney, and Burne.

It's not uncommon for names to have altered spellings due to an individual’s phonetic interpretation or changes over time. The variants often depend on the geographical location and era. For example, the prefix "Mc" or "Mac", which means "son of" in Gaelic, could be interchanged or might not be included in some variants. The use of spellings with or without the apostrophe were also common across the years.

Other possibly related surnames, which could be variations or derivatives, can include Birnie, Birney, Burn, Burns, or Bernie.

Please note that while these could potentially be variations of the same name, it does not guarantee a shared lineage or family connection among bearers of these surnames.

Famous people with the name McBurnie

• Chris McBurnie: Chris McBurnie is a Canadian actor, director, and producer. He is best known for his roles in the films Saw: The Final Chapter, The National Lampoon's Vacation and the television series, Taxi Brooklyn.
• Nathan McBurnie: Nathan McBurnie is a professional footballer who currently plays for the New York Red Bulls of Major League Soccer. He is a former Canadian under-20 national team player.
• Kristin McBurnie: Kristin McBurnie is an actress, writer, and director. She is best known for her roles in the films Jigsaw, Texas Chainsaw Massacre 3D, and Mitigation. She is also the co-creator and lead actor in the web series My First Time.
• Martha McBurnie: Martha McBurnie is a professional golfer from Scotland. She has had success on The Ladies European Tour as well as the Symetra Tour.
• Andrew McBurnie: Andrew McBurnie is a Scottish jockey who races in the UK and Ireland. He has won many Group 1 races such as the Champion Stakes, King George VI Stakes and the Gold Trophy.
• Alicia McBurnie: Alicia McBurnie is a British stage, film and television actor. She is best known for her roles in the plays Big Wolf, Not You and I and Radio/ TV.
• Cecil McBurnie: Cecil McBurnie is a former Canadian ice hockey player. He is best known for his time in the NHL, playing for the New York Rangers and Philadelphia Flyers.
• Lindsay McBurney: Lindsay McBurney is a British actress most known for her roles in the films Little Italy and Matilda the Musical. She also starred in the television series Crazy Ex-Girlfriend.
• Craig McBurnie: Craig McBurnie is a British composer known for his original soundtracks on films such as Messiah 2: Vengeance Is Mine and Clash of the Dead.
• Lauray McBurnie: Lauray McBurnie is a British record producer and engineer. She has produced and engineered for many artists including Rina Sawayama, Charli XCX, and Rita Ora.

Other surnames

McBurney