Surname McCarter - Meaning and Origin
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The Unfolding of McCarter Roots: A Journey Through DNA Analysis at iGENEA
Discovering familial roots can be an enlightening journey, especially when you dig deeper through a DNA analysis. My experience with iGENEA DNA analysis revealed that my roots were intertwined with various cultures, giving me a deeper appreciation for my 'McCarter' surname, traditionally believed to be of Scottish origins.
O. McCarter
read moreMcCarter: What does the surname McCarter mean?
The surname McCarter is of Scottish origin and is predominantly found in Ireland, Scotland, and northern England. It derives from the Gaelic surname Mac Artair, where "Mac" translates to "son of" and "Artair" is a Gaelic form of the name Arthur. Therefore, McCarter can be interpreted as "son of Arthur." The given name Arthur itself is of Celtic origin and is believed to mean "bear," "rock," or "noble." Therefore, the surname McCarter might also be seen as carrying the implication of "son of the noble one" or "son of the bear." Because of regional variations in spelling and pronunciation, there are many variants of this surname, including MacArthur, McArter, and others. This surname first appeared in the records in the late 13th century and has a strong historical presence in the regions of Dumfriesshire and Galloway in Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCarter: Where does the name McCarter come from?
The surname McCarter originated in Scotland, specifically in the region known as Galloway located in the southwestern part of the country. The name McCarter is an Anglicization of the Gaelic MacArtair, which means "son of Artair". Artair is a personal name derived from the Old Gaelic word "Art" meaning "bear" combined with a diminutive suffix. It bears a striking resemblance to the revered King Arthur's name, and some propose a connection.
Despite its Scottish origin, over centuries McCarter is more common in Northern Ireland due to the Plantation of Ulster (a period of colonization in the 17th century). Many Scottish families, including those named McCarter, moved to this region.
Today, the surname can be found in different parts of the world, including the United States, Canada, England, and Australia, among others. This dispersion is mainly due to migration, emigration and the historical displacement of Scots during the Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries. However, it may still be most common in Ireland and Scotland considering their historical and cultural links to the name.
Variations of the surname McCarter
The surname McCarter is of Scottish origin and is a variant of the surname "Carter." The prefix 'Mc' and 'Mac' both mean 'son of', thus McCarter refers to 'son of Carter'. In addition to McCarter, other spelling and variants can include MacCarter, MacArthur, McArthur, McArter, and McCathers.
The spellings and interpretations of the name have evolved and morphed over time, region, and each family's preferences. Some Scottish and Irish families might use the Gaelic adaptation 'Mac Artuir' which also means 'son of Arthur'.
The usage of "Mc" and "Mac" can vary based on region and sometimes even within families, so McCarter and MacCarter should be considered essentially identical. Some families may have also dropped the "Mc" or "Mac" over time, resulting in the simplified "Carter" surname. Therefore, anyone researching their genealogy with the surname McCarter should also consider these variations.
Spellings can also be influenced by regional accents and the literacy level of a population at a certain time, leading to variations documented in records. Therefore, surnames can have many alternative spellings that are all derived from the original root name.
Famous people with the name McCarter
- Margaret McCarter: A renowned American author, notable for her novels set in Kansas.
- Emily McCarter: An accomplished playwright and theatre director.
- Aishah Hasnie: An American television journalist, her original name is Aishah Sadiqa McCarter.
- Bob McCarter: An experienced director and professor in the theatre industry.
- L. Scott McCarter: A notable individual in the field of medicine.
- Ryan McCarter: A well-known theater critic.
- John McCarter: The former president and CEO of the Field Museum in Chicago.
- Ashton B. McCarter: A distinguished physicist known for his work with NASA.
- David McCarter: An award-winning software developer and architect.
- Glenn McCarter: An Australian rugby player.
- James McCarter: A prominent figure in the genomics industry.
- Patrick McCarter: A professional baseball player. It's important to note that while some of these individuals may not have universal name recognition, they all have made significant contributions in their respective fields.