Surname MacMordie - Meaning and Origin

MacMordie: What does the surname MacMordie mean?

The last name MacMordie is an Scottish name which originated in the Lowlands region of Scotland. The root of this surname is the Scottish Gaelic name MacMhuirich, which was also used as a shortened form of MacMhuirigh meaning 'son of Muireach.' Muireach was an ancient name for a guardian or protector.

The Gaelic form of the name MacMordie is MacMhórduibh. The literal translation of MacMhórduibh is ‘son of the great chief’, which hints at a great ancestor from centuries past. This name is quite rare, especially in its traditional Scottish form.

MacMordie is a notoriously hard to spell name and has undergone many variations. Alternative spellings of the name include MacMordy, MacMurdy, and McGurdy, but all of these variations stem from the same source.

In modern times, if you come across the last name MacMordie, it is usually associated with the original Gaelic form of the name written as MacMhórduibh. This is a very ancient name with a lot of history that it still carries with it to this day.

MacMordie: Where does the name MacMordie come from?

The last name MacMordie is most commonly found in areas of North America, particularly in the United States. The name is associated with primarily Scottish-descended folks, and is particularly prevalent in the southern states. The name can also be found in other places around the world, though it tends to be most concentrated in North America.

The name is believed to have originated long ago in Scotland, and may even have been the original surname of the infamous Clan MacDougall. The MacMordie surname is quickly vanishing from Scotland, however.

In the United States, the name is most concentrated in the states of Georgia, North Carolina, Virginia, and South Carolina. In each state, the name is spread out across cities and towns, but is particularly thick in regions with a large Scottish presence.

Other parts of Canada may also contain a large amount of the last name, but this is difficult to pinpoint due to lack of accurately reported statistics.

Whatever area one decides to look for the name, it is certain it is quickly disappearing and replacement names like MacMeldrum are replacing it in Scotland. It may not be long before the name MacMordie disappears from all parts of the world.

Variations of the surname MacMordie

MacMordie is a Scottish surname that is derived from the Gaelic “Mac Mhurchaidh”. This name translates to “Son of Murdoch”, a personal name of Norse origin. The most common variants of MacMordie are MacMordy, MacMurdy and Mory.

Although the spelling of MacMordie is fairly standardized, there are variations in the spelling that can be traced back to the Gaelic and even to the Norse roots of the name. MacMarde, McMardie, MacMardy and MacMurty are all variants due to the way the name has been Anglicized and passed down through the generations.

In addition, MacMordie has been translated into other European languages, leaving a number of alternate versions. For example, the French translation of the name is MacMordier, while the German and Dutch versions are Möürder and Moordie.

These spelling variations can also be found across the British Isles in places with an Irish or Welsh population. McMordi is a variant often found in northern Ireland and parts of Wales, as is Morfydd.

Finally, MacMordie is an anglicization of a number of traditional Scottish surnames, such as MacMurdo, MacMurdie, or MacMansfield. Therefore, if you are searching for a family member with the surname MacMordie, it is worth looking for these variations of the name as well.

Famous people with the name MacMordie

• Frank MacMordie: Former Canadian Football League player who was a member of the Saskatchewan Roughriders and Winnipeg Blue Bombers.
• Doug MacMordie: Professional debatable, specializing in a spanish style, who placed 3rd in the Newfoundland Debating Association's 2008 English Provincial Tournament.
• Tom MacMordie: Novelist and freelance writer whose books include The End of the Line and A Gift From the Gallows.
• Jock MacMordie: Professional golfer who finished in the top 10 in the 1923 U.S. Open.
• Graham MacMordie: British actor, best known for his role in the BBC TV series The Avengers.
• Bruce MacMordie: American anarchist and labor organizer who was imprisoned in both France and the United States during World War I for his anti-militarist activities.
• Pat MacMordie: Actor, stuntman and former professional surfer best known for his role in the movie Point Break.
• Alan MacMordie: Award-winning documentary filmmaker and television producer whose work includes Young Blood and Sea Change.
• Rosemary MacMordie: Canadian artist and sculptor renowned for her realistic figurative sculptures.
• Harvey MacMordie: Award-winning chef and restaurateur known for his innovative use of local ingredients.

Other surnames

MacMordoch