Surname MacQuarran - Meaning and Origin
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MacQuarran: What does the surname MacQuarran mean?
The last name MacQuarran is a Scottish surname which references the region of Argyll, also known as Macquarrie. The name is derived from the Gaelic for “Son of the Quarrier”. This surname is thought to be one of the oldest in Scotland, and can be dated back to the 11th Century. It can be found throughout the country, and is particularly associated with the Hebrides, the Northern Isles, and parts of Argyll.
The name itself is thought to have originated from a family of quarrymen, who took on their name from the profession. While the MacQuarran name has since diversified to include many other occupations and areas of work, this could be seen as being something of an honourable testament to the name’s original Scottish origins.
The MacQuarran surname is rare, and is primarily seen in certain areas of Scotland, including the Western Highlands and Hebrides. Such places include Tiree, the most westerly of the Inner Hebridean isles, and Islay, one of the most populous of the Inner Hebridean isles. It can also be seen in areas further south such as Aberdeen and Glasgow, and in the north of England.
The MacQuarran surname is not only associated with Scotland, however, and can be seen all over the world. As a testament to its strong Scottish roots, many MacQuarrans can still be found in the areas of Scotland where it first originated, allowing for the continuation of the surname for many centuries to come.
Order DNA origin analysisMacQuarran: Where does the name MacQuarran come from?
The surname MacQuarran is commonly found in Scotland and France today.
In Scotland, the name is most commonly found in the Outer Hebrides, the Western Isles, Orkney and Shetland. MacQuarran is an old Highland Scottish and northern Isle of Man name; historical records link the name to the original Clan MacQuarrie who lived in Kirkcudbrightshire, Aberdeenshire, and Ayrshire.
In France the name is found, particularly in the Brittany region in the northwest. MacQuarran ancestry can also be found in Ireland, especially in County Galway, but the name is much rarer there.
In terms of emigration, MacQuarran families have long since left Scotland and can be found today in many parts of the world. Records show that immigrants have migrated to the US, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and in particular, to South Africa where they settled in large numbers.
Today, if you were to search for the name around the world you'd find the MacQuarran surname is most commonly found in Scotland and France, making it something of an intriguing and unique name, with a fascinating past.
Variations of the surname MacQuarran
The MacQuarran surname has several variant spellings and surnames of similar origin. Common spellings related to MacQuarran include M'Quarran, M'Quarrie, MacQuarrie, and MacQuarrie.
The MacQuarran surname has a Gaelic origin and is a derivative of the Gaelic Mac Ghuarrain. Mac Ghuarrain was a patronymic form of the Gaelic byname Ghuarrain (meaning distinctive) and was used to denote people who were distinguished in some way. This surname arose throughout the parts of Scotland from people who owed allegiance to a local leader possessing the byname of Ghuarrain. Mac Ghuarran eventually evolved through differing pronunciation and spelling into many other surnames, such as MacQuarran. Over the years, other spellings of the same origin have included MacWhirters, M'Whirtery, MacCuaig, MacGuire, and MacMurphy.
The MacQuarran surname is also connected to several families that held lands in Ireland. Those families originated in Scotland and migrated to northern counties of Ireland around the fifteenth century. This surname is also found in the coastal areas of Cornwall, England, and in numerous other districts throughout Britain.
In conclusion, the MacQuarran surname has multiple variant spellings and surnames of the same origin, including M'Quarran, M'Quarrie, MacQuarrie, MacGuire, MacWhirters, M'Whirtery, MacCuaig, and MacMurphy. The origin of this surname is Gaelic, and it is connected to families from Scotland and northern Ireland.
Famous people with the name MacQuarran
- Mark MacQuarran: popular comedy actor, known for his roles in the films Crazy Rich Asians and Love, Simon.
- Drew MacQuarran: bassist for the rock band The Verve.
- Angus MacQuarran: Scottish actor best known for his recurring role in the History Channel series Vikings.
- Kari MacQuarran: Canadian Olympian figure skater and winner of the bronze medal in the 1998 Winter Olympics.
- Donald MacQuarran: British writer and playwright, best known for his play The Sapphires.
- Charlie MacQuarran: Scottish film director, producer, and editor, best known for his documentary Visions.
- George MacQuarran: Founder of the Clan MacQuarran and Lord of MacQuarran Castle.
- Jordan MacQuarran: Hit country music singer known for his songs “I Will Wait” and “Until You Came Along”.
- Treven MacQuarran: Award-winning artist, known for his colorful abstract sculptures.
- Hayley MacQuarran: Australian actress, best known for her role in the critically acclaimed movie Embrace.