Surname McChord - Meaning and Origin

McChord: What does the surname McChord mean?

The surname McChord is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Celtic personal name Cord, which was the name of the son of Ferchar Mac An Ae. It is believed that the surname may have first originated in the area of Caithness in the extreme north of Scotland, where the original family clan lived.

The English translation of the name suggests a person who is strong, yet gentle hearted. The word 'Chord' may relate to a musical chord, but more likely derives from the Scottish Gaelic word 'cord', which means singer. Indeed, it may have referred to a family member who was known for their song-writing or singing ability.

The name McChord is not particularly common, but is found mainly in the counties of Aberdeenshire and Angus in Scotland. There are currently a few notable people who bear it, such as American military aviator and politician, John C. McChord, and the Canadian actress Sarah McChord.

The surname serves as a reminder of Scotland’s rich cultural and literary traditions. The McChords, whether they still live in Scotland today or have migrated elsewhere, are likely to be of Scottish descent with strong links to the country of their forefathers.

McChord: Where does the name McChord come from?

The last name McChord is commonly found in Scotland and Ireland, with the greatest concentrations in the Northern Irish counties of Antrim and Down. In Scotland, the name is most common in the Highland region, with some presence in Angus and Aberdeenshire. The name is relatively rare in England, however, there are small pockets in Herefordshire, Shropshire, and Yorkshire.

In the United States, the name can more prominently found in the northeastern states, particularly in Massachusetts, Rhode Island, Maine, Vermont, and Pennsylvania. It is also found in the South with small pockets in Louisiana, Mississippi, Georgia, and Tennessee. On the West Coast, it can be found in Oregon and Washington.

Many of the people today who have the McChord surname are descendants from immigrants who came over from Scotland and Ireland to the United States throughout the 19th and early 20th centuries. The McChords have likely taken part in forming the history and culture in each of the places where they have settled over time, and they continue to be a strong presence in their local communities today.

Variations of the surname McChord

The surname McChord is derived from a Scottish surname and has a few variants and surnames of the same origin. The variants of McChord include MacChord, MacChorda, MacCard, MacCardd, MacCardle, and MacCurd. Spellings such as MacChord, MacChorda, and MacCurd can also be used for the surname McChord.

The surnames of the same origin as McChord include MacCord, MacCordie, MacCurd, MacKier, MacKird, MacKirdy, and MacWard. All of these surnames are derived from the clan and share a common ancestor.

The clan name "MacChord" is derived from a nickname for a person with a high voice. This nickname was then passed down from generation to generation and eventually became a surname.

When looking for records related to the McChord surname, it is important to consider all of these variants and spellings. As Scottish surnames often changed over time, the different variations of the name can help trace the origins of a family. By researching all of these variants, it is possible to gain a better understanding of a family's history.

In addition, the same surnames of origin could be used to look for related families who have moved away from Scotland over the centuries. This could help complete the family tree and give more insight into the origin and history of the McChord name.

Famous people with the name McChord

• Tom McChord: American jazz guitarist and producer, known for collaborations with Tower of Power.
• Shannon McChord: American actress, known for her roles in the films Starship III: Human Error and Galaxies.
• Tania McChord: British actress and dancer, known for her roles in Doc Martin, Eastenders, and Coronation Street.
• Chris McChord: American rock musician, known for his work with the band Rage Against the Machine.
• Doug McChord: Lead singer of the British rock band Skunk Anansie.
• Sean McChord: American actor, known for his roles in the films The Matrix Revolutions and Dracula II: Resurrection.
• Dan McChord: Australian actor, known for his roles in the films The Limey and Blister.
• Jack McChord: American country music singer, known for his hit singles “Life Is What You Make It” and “Paint the Countryside”.
• Sharon McChord: American television producer and writer, known for her work on the series Brothers & Sisters and The West Wing.
• Abigail McChord: American actress, known for her roles in the films Red Dawn and The Boy Who Could Fly.

Other surnames

McChomay