Surname Aughtie - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'A'
Aughtie: What does the surname Aughtie mean?
The surname Aughtie is an interesting and mysterious one. Its roots appear to be Scottish; within Scotland, it is particularly associated with the Ayrshire district. Its roots seem to be related to the Old English word for "possession", and it may be linked to other surnames such as Aghtoun, Aghtry, Aughtry or Oughtry.
Studies into the meaning of the surname are difficult, as it is a very uncommon one. There is a prevailing theory that the surname has been derived from a Northern Scottish expression applied to a person possessing a prestigious position, suggesting a person of high rank or of authority. The origins of this phrase appear to originate from Old Norse, which means “worthy of praise”.
Interestingly, records suggest that Aughtie may also be related to the “Agthorn” family of Scotland. This family was one of the first to claim rights to the title of Barons. The family rose to prominence during the reigns of James II and James III.
For anyone researching their genealogy, tracing the history of the Aughtie surname is a great starting point. Today, the Aughtie family is spread all over the world, and it’s likely that there will be many exciting stories to uncover.
Order DNA origin analysisAughtie: Where does the name Aughtie come from?
The surname Aughtie, derived from the Old Norse personal name aukati, is mostly found in Scotland today. The ancient Clan Aughtie or Ochtie resided in Loretto, Paisley and Strathaven in Lanarkshire in addition to Orkney and Caithness. It is thought to be a sept of the Clan MacFarlane although no historical record of this link exists.
In addition to being a uncommon name, Aughtie is also a rare spelling variant of Aitken, another Scottish surname. It is believed to have originated in the region of Ayrshire, Scotland, with the earliest recorded instances seen in the mid-14th century.
Today, the Aughtie is most commonly found in southwest Scotland where it first originated. Specifically, it is seen most frequently in Dumfries and Galloway, where it is the 437th most common surname. It is also seen in more substantial numbers in the counties of Lanark and Ayr, taking the 615th and 299th spot respectively.
As it has not spread widely, the Aughtie name is still relatively uncommon. It is more likely to be seen in Scotland than elsewhere in the U.K. or the world, except perhaps among the clans descended from the ancient Aughtie sept.
Variations of the surname Aughtie
Aughtie is a surname of Scottish and northern English origin. Variants of this name include Auty, Awty, Autey and Autye. In some rare instances, spelling variants of Aughtie can include Oughtie, Oudty or Utey.
The origins of the Aughtie surname can be traced back to Scotland during the 12th century. It is derived from the given name Walter, and from the French 'au-te', meaning 'akind' or 'of the same kind'. This was an appellation for a kinsman, which over time became a surname.
The Aughtie surname is primarily found in Scotland, but is also recorded in northern England such as Yorkshire and Cumbria. Moreover, there is evidence of the Aughtie family in Australia, having migrated there in the 19th century.
In Scotland, the family are descended from the Clan Leslie, where there is evidence of a cadet branch of Redheugh. In England, records show members of the Aughtie family had land near Newburn in the parish of Newcastle upon Tyne. These individuals were also connected to the noble families of Umfraville and Swinburne.
The Aughtie name continues to be used by many people and families today. In some instances, it is still found spelled the same way it was hundreds of years ago and in other cases it has been anglicized. Regardless of the variation, it is a name that traces its history to the Middle Ages and is still used in Scotland, northern England and elsewhere.
Famous people with the name Aughtie
- Christine Aughtie, British and Canadian politican.
- Jimmy Aughtie, Scottish professional footballer.
- Richard Aughtie, Canadian physician and pathologist.
- Elaine Aughtie, Canadian poet and fiction writer.
- Christine Aughtie-Laird, Conservative politician, first woman on the Island of Islay Council.
- Andrew Aughtie, Australian violinist and concertmaster.
- Margaret Aughtie, Scottish curler.
- James Aughtie, Canadian mathematician and computer scientist.
- Robin Aughtie, sculptor and visitor centre director.
- Alan Aughtie, lawyer and former president of the Law Society of Scotland.