Surname MacCrea - Meaning and Origin
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MacCrea: What does the surname MacCrea mean?
The surname MacCrea is of Scottish origin and has Gaelic roots. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Raith or Mac Craith, which translates to "Son of Grace" or "Son of Prosperity." The Mac or Mc prefix signifies "son of," demonstrating a common practice in Gaelic culture to identify a person as the son of their father. Raith or Craith were personal names or nicknames often based on a characteristic or attribute of the person.
The MacCrea family was a part of the larger Clan MacRae, a highland Scottish clan known for their strength and courage in battle. Clan MacRae held strong connections to other clans, particularly the Clan MacKenzie, and were loyal supporters of the Scottish monarchy. Today, descendants bearing the MacCrea name can be found worldwide, though the majority still reside in Scotland and other parts of the UK.
Please note, like many surnames, variations in spelling can be found, including MacRae, McRae, McCrae, MacCrae, among others. While the base meaning remains the same, different spellings may reflect different branches of the original Clan MacRae.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCrea: Where does the name MacCrea come from?
The surname MacCrea is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic Mac Raith or Mac Raibh, meaning "son of grace." It is an anglicized form of these Gaelic surnames. The surname can be traced back to early 13th century Scotland where it was first notably borne by the MacRae family, who came from Kintail in Ross-shire.
Today, the surname MacCrea, along with its variations (such as MacRae, MacRath, and McCrea), is most commonly found in Scotland. However, due to historical emigration, particularly during the time of the Scottish Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries, the surname also has a significant presence in other countries such as Ireland, Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
In certain regions such as Northern Ireland, the variant spelling McCrea is particularly prevalent. Particularly in the United States and Canada, descendants of Scottish immigrants bearing this name have contributed to these countries' development in various fields like politics, science, and arts.
Variations of the surname MacCrea
The surname MacCrea is of Irish origin and has numerous variations in spelling due to regional differences, linguistic evolutions and Anglicization. These variations include MacCrae, MacCray, MacCrie, MacRea, MacRae, MacRay, MacRhea, McCrea, McCrae, McCray, McCrie, McKrae, and McRae.
The root of the surname is derived from the Gaelic term "MacRath," which means "son of grace." It has its origins from the provinces of Connacht and Leinster in Ireland and was also prevalent in Scotland. In Scotland, the Clan MacRae is well-known, originating from the Highlands.
The surname, in all its variations, has been propagated around the world through emigration, mainly to countries like the US, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Over time, the MacCrea name enjoyed varied spelling as immigrants often adopted more phonetic spellings, leading to many of the diverse variations observed today.
Famous people with the name MacCrea
- Alexander MacCrea: Scottish actor known for his roles in movies such as the Impact, The Pilot, and the Prime of Miss Jean Brodie.
- Patrick MacCrea: Canadian actor and director, best known for his work as a voice actor in films such as Planes, Cars, and Ratatouille.
- Mary MacCrea: English actress who is widely known for her roles in notable films such as the Great Gatsby and the Spy Who Came in From the Cold.
- William MacCrea: Canadian politician and philanthropist who served as a Senator from Prince Edward Island from 1978 to 1999.
- James MacCrea: Scottish actor known for his role as Sir Henry on the BBC series Outlander.
- Deborah MacCrea: American script writer and director who has written and directed films such as The Faculty and Smoke Signals.
- Tim MacCrea: English actor and director, best known for his roles in films such as Hide and Seek and In Her Shoes.
- Rory MacCrea: Irish actor, known for appearances in the television series Mrs. Brown's Boys and the movie Farscape 2.
- Alan MacCrea: Canadian musician and singer-songwriter, best known as the front-man for the pop-rock group The Tamers.
- Paul MacCrea: Canadian theater actor, best known for his roles in Into the Woods, Romeo and Juliet, and Amadeus.