Surname MacPheter - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacPheter: What does the surname MacPheter mean?
The last name MacPheter is an anglicised version of the Gaelic name Mac an Pheirt which is a family name from Scotland. It is derived from the Gaelic term pheirt, which means “an opening” or “space”. The family is typically associated with the Western Isles off the mainland of Scotland.
Traditionally the MacPheter family were known as seafarers in the northern lands of Scotland. It is believed that in the past they would have travelled from island to island as well as trading with the mainland. Given their traditional maritime roots, this surname would have been considered significant/ relevant to Scottish history.
The last name MacPheter also has connections to the Clann Mhuirichs - a Scottish family considered by many as the most noble and ancient of Scotland. This clan had a shared descent from a common ancestor named Muireach, while MacPheter was one of several names associated with this clan.
As a result, this last name is highly prestigious and closely linked to the proud history of Scotland. Much of the long-standing tradition of the MacPheter family is embodied in the Persie Buidhe – a jubilant supper held each year on the 4th of January which celebrates the lands and unity of the MacPheter family. This celebration and tradition is highly honoured and marks a significant milestone in the history of Scotland.
Overall, the last name MacPheter is a celebration of Scotland's strong maritime history and its intertwined connection with the Clans and families of the country. It is a proud link to Scotland's past, with strong ties to both its land and sea.
Order DNA origin analysisMacPheter: Where does the name MacPheter come from?
The last name MacPheter is mostly found today in Scotland and Northern Ireland, primarily in Ulster-Scots (Ulster Scots-Irish) households. The surname is mostly concentrated in the Scottish counties of Fife and Ayrshire, where it has been found since the 16th century. MacPhetàrs have traditionally been associated with the non-Highland areas of the Scottish Highlands, as the name originates from the Gaelic words meaning "Son of Peter".
In Scotland, the UK census of 1881 recorded 1,435 people with the last name MacPheter. In Northern Ireland, the name was common in Co Antrim, where the 1831 census listed 160 people with the surname. In the United States, the MacPheter surname is found mainly in the Appalachian region, especially in the states of Virginia, West Virginia, Kentucky and Tennessee.
The MacPheter family is most likely descended from a displaced Lowland Scottish family who fled to Ulster during the Scots-Irish migration of the 1600s. The surname is also found in Canada, primarily in Alberta and British Columbia, with some found in New Brunswick, Manitoba, and Quebec.
The prevalence of the surname in the United States and Canada reflects the numerous Scots-Irish emigrants who left Britain in the 1600s and 1700s. The majority of those emigrants were from the non-Highland areas of Scotland, particularly Ulster and the area around it, which means that the name MacPheter is still relatively common in those regions today.
Variations of the surname MacPheter
The surname MacPheter is of Scottish origin and is a variant of the Scottish-Gaelic form of the surname McPherson. A common alternative spelling is Macpherson, while other variants include Macphershon, McPhearson, MacPhereson, MacFerson, and Macheerson.
A common spelling variation of MacPheter is MacFeater, which is derived from the Gaelic Mac an Pheata, meaning son of the piper. The surname MacFeaters is sometimes thought to derive from a piper associated with a particular family.
Another variant is MacFetters, which is the Anglicized version of Mac an Pheata. This form of the surname can be found mainly in northern Scotland and is thought to have originated as a result of influence from the Lowland Scots of the area.
Macpherson can also be found with the prefixes Mc or Mac. Examples of these variants are McCupherson, McPheson, MacCupherson, and MacPheson.
In the case of MacPhearson, a variant could be MacFairson, derived from the Gaelic Macmhuirich, meaning son of the steward.
Other spellings for MacPheter could include MacFetrich, MacPefere, MacFeter, MacFaitre, MacPheteres, MacPeets, MacFeates, and MacFeeters.
The surname has also been Anglicized to various other spellings, including Patterson, Pheson, Ferson, Peterson, Phetteres, Peets, Feates, and Feeters.
Famous people with the name MacPheter
- Finlay MacPherson: Finlay MacPherson is a Scottish actor known for his role as Gareth on the television series The Inbetweeners.
- Sean MacPherson: Sean MacPherson is an American film and television star, best known for his roles on Beverly Hills 90210, Dynasty, Once Upon a Time, and the popular TV-movie 17 Again.
- John MacPherson: John MacPherson is an American actor, best known for his roles in the television series The District and Brothers and Sisters.
- David MacPherson: David MacPherson is a Scottish actor, best known for his role as the villain in the 2018 film Doctor Who: Genesis of the Daleks.
- Richard MacPherson: Richard MacPherson is an American film director and producer, best known for his documentaries The War Tapes and Unfinished Country.
- Sarah MacPherson: Sarah MacPherson is a Canadian singer-songwriter, best known for her song "Take a Chance On Me."
- Kumiko MacPherson: Kumiko MacPherson is a Japanese actress, best known for her roles in the films The Last Samurai and High School Debut.
- Phil MacPherson: Phil MacPherson is a Canadian hockey player, best known for winning gold with Team Canada in the 2002 Winter Olympics.
- Nell MacPherson: Nell MacPherson is an Australian novelist, best known for her works such as The Protector and A Price to Pay.
- Sophie MacPherson: Sophie MacPherson is a British actress, best known for her roles in the television series Gavin & Stacey and Ackley Bridge.