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No. Scottish surnames are like any other (although I admit you will find a fair few starting with Mac or Mc) but this isn't unique to Scotland. The same can be said of the other countries in the UK

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15y ago
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13y ago

Mc is just a shortened form of Mac (son). Mac seems more common among Scots but they also use Mc as do the Irish.

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Q: Why do some Scottish names start with Mc and some Mac?
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What does mac in front of Scottish names mean?

Gaelic for Son of. For example MacDougall translated into the Son of Dougall.


Where does the last name McElligott come from?

Many names starting with either Mc or Mac are Scottish in origin.


Is McWhorter an Irish or Scottish name?

Yes. That is to say, it originates from Scotland AND Northern Ireland. Both places were the home of the same Gaelic people, and to complicate matters Northern Ireland was later deliberately populated with Scottish Protestants. There is a general rule that names beginning with Mac are Scottish, while those in Mc are Northern Irish; but as surnames, historically, change from one generation to another, that's no guide.


What does the name beginning with Mc mean?

"Mac" or "Mc" means "son". Found in Irish and Scottish Highland surnames. Mac Néill is "son of Niall".


Is Mackenzie a Irish name?

No. A Mac or Mc sound in a name usually would suggest it's Scottish. Mac in Scotland means son of, the equivalent in Irish is "O" (technically grandson of)although there are some Mac's in Ireland. Mackenzie is the normal Scottish spelling, Makenzie is a derivative and more common in North America (USA/Canada) where it has also been used as a Christian name/forename.There is some connection between the Highlands of Scotland and Ireland and the name Scotland is derived from "Scotti" Latin for the Gaels and originally used for the Irish raiders during the Roman times who eventually settled from what is now Northern Ireland to Argyll. In addition largely Lowland Scots settled the other way later on into Northern Ireland.The Mackenzie's are historically based in Cromarty near to Inverness.It has been estimated that 20% of Irish surnames begin with Mac. MacCarthy for example, MacNamara, etc. There are also a few Scottish names with the O'.

Related questions

How can one type the Scottish and Irish names that start with Mac or Mc the way they have been written for hundreds of years?

The Scottish Macs is the name of the book that can help you


What does the Mac Mc or O mean at the beginning of Irish and Scottish names?

In Irish names "Mac" means "Son" and "Ó" means "Grandson"


What has the author Padraig Mac Giolla-Domhnaigh written?

Padraig Mac Giolla-Domhnaigh has written: 'Some Anglicised surnames in Ireland' -- subject(s): Genealogy, Irish, Names, Personal, Personal Names, Scottish


Why Scottish last names start with Mac?

It means "son of." ex: Millan was Scottish/gaelic for the English "Miller", who was a miller of wheat or seed. MacMillan, or McMillan was a "son of Millan" or a son of the Millan family. A descendant of a family of scottish millers. John McMillan was John, son of the Millan's.


Is Mc more Irish and Mac more Scottish?

Mc is just a shorter way to spell Mac, Both countries will have their share of anglicised names beginning with Mc or Mac Mac = son


What does mac in front of Scottish names mean?

Gaelic for Son of. For example MacDougall translated into the Son of Dougall.


Where does the last name McElligott come from?

Many names starting with either Mc or Mac are Scottish in origin.


What is the Scottish Gaelic for Scottish son?

It is mac in Scottish Gaelic.


What does Mc stand for in a Scottish surname?

Derived from patronomycs - Mac or Mc means son (of), similar in use to the Irish O which originally meant grandson (of) and Mac was also used in Ireland but largely died out leaving Mac/Mc surnames generally Scottish and O' surnames generally Irish. The MAc/Mc names are generally Highland surnames but not always so, Lowlander and Norse descendants also used this titling to some extent. Nic means daughter but the usage has not fed into surnames in the same way as Mac/Mc. Mac is still used in Ireland and has not died out. So Mac is not generally Scottish an example is McNamara and McNamee. It is still a common prefix in Irish names.


Is scottish Gaelic for son mac or mhac?

It is mac but in some situations it is changed to mhac. My son = mo mhac.


What is mc Kinney in Gaelic?

1. Scottish: Mac Cionaodha or Mac Cionaoith2. Northern Irish: Mac Coinnigh. Also the Scottish name as in 1.


What is the Scottish Gaelic for 'grandson'?

The Scottish Gaelic word for 'grandchild' is ogha.