Surname MacPeter - Meaning and Origin
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MacPeter: What does the surname MacPeter mean?
The MacPeter surname is a classic Scottish name. The name has Gaelic origins and is derived from the old Gaelic word Mac Phitear, which translates to “son of the follower of Peter”, reflecting the family’s religious history.
This surname goes back to the 12th century, and is believed to have originated in the western regions of Scotland in the area of Lorne, which is in modern-day Argyll. It was likely the family's religion that pushed them towards this area. The MacPeters were some of the earliest Hebridean converts to Christianity in the area.
The MacPeters have a proud, centuries-old history in Scotland. They were a prominent landowning family in the Renfrewshire and Ayrshire districts of Scotland for generations. Records show them to have supported several of the kings of Scotland in times of war. They were also renowned for their skills in craftsmanship and metalworking, and some of their notable creations exist to this day.
Today, the MacPeter surname remains a popular Scottish name among those with ancestral ties to the region. It is an important reminder of the clan’s loyal past and is a symbol of their proud heritage in Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisMacPeter: Where does the name MacPeter come from?
The last name MacPeter is most commonly found in the United Kingdom and Ireland. Those of the McPeter surname trace their roots to Scotland and the north of Ireland. The MacPetter clan originated in the now-vanished region of Strathearn in Scotland. In modern day Strathearn is comprised of the local government districts of Stirling, Perth and Kinross, and part of Clackmannanshire. In England, the name can be found in a few areas such as Leeds, Manchester, Newcastle, and Devon.
The name is also common in the United States with records showing many people bearing the McPeter surname residing in Illinois and Minnesota. Records indicate the first people with the McPeter surname arriving in North America from Auld Scotland in the mid-1800s. Many people also immigrated to the United States, settling in the Midwest and New England states.
Today, there are many people of the MacPeter surname throughout the world with Scotland, England, Ireland, and the United States being the primary countries with people with the name. However, records have also been found that show several McPetters living throughout Oceania, Canada, and Central and South America.
Variations of the surname MacPeter
The surname MacPeter has a number of variants, spellings and other surnames with the same origin. Some of these include MacPherson, MacFersons, MacPerson, MacPherson, MacFarson, MacPhersons, MacFee, MacPherson and MacFirson.
The surname MacPeter is a variant of the Gaelic language Mac Phearsain which translates to the son of Peter. It is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic language, a common way to represent the language in writing.
The MacPherson variation is often associated with Clan Pherson in Scotland, a family of the same name that lived in the highlands of Scotland in the early 15th century. The MacFersons variation can also be found in Scotland, is associated with Clan Ferguson and goes back to the early 14th century.
The MacPherson and MacFersons surnames are also found in Ireland and have a similar etymology to the MacPeter surname with slight variation. The spelling of the surname in Ireland is often MacPhearson or MacPearsons, while in Scotland the MacFerson spelling is more prominent.
The MacPerson spelling is derived from the Gaelic language and translates to "son of the parson" or "son of the pastor." This surname is commonly found in Irish and Scottish records and can also be found in Scotland and Ireland in different versions.
The MacFee and MacFirson variations are believed to be derived from different Gaelic terms and can be found in both Scotland and Ireland. The MacFee variation translates to “son of the piper” while the MacFirson variation is believed to mean “son of the fork”. MacFee is the more common spelling of the two.
Overall, the surname MacPeter has a number of variants, spellings and other surnames of the same origin. Although the spelling varies from region to region, they mostly mean the same thing — the son of Peter.
Famous people with the name MacPeter
- Mark MacPeter, Broadway actor and singer.
- Midge MacPeter, British singer-songwriter.
- Mark MacPeter Jr., actor and son of Mark MacPeter.
- Charlie MacPeter, Welsh actor and theatre producer.
- Evan MacPeter, Canadian musician and composer.
- Rick MacPeter, Canadian actor and playwright.
- Peter MacPeter, Canadian author and actor.
- Stan MacPeter, American film producer and art director.
- Margaret MacPeter, Scottish entertainer and lecturer.
- Richard MacPeter, British choreographer and dancer.