Surname Macra - Meaning and Origin
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Macra: What does the surname Macra mean?
The last name Macra, also spelled MacRay or MacRae, is a Scottish surname of Gaelic origin. The word macra is derived from the Gaelic Mac Riabhaigh, meaning "son of Riabhaigh”. Riabhaigh is a form of Richard, meaning “strong leader”.
Historically, Macras were a powerful highland clan associated with the lands of Wester Ross and Lochalsh in the Scottish Highlands. This clan was known for being independent and battle-hardened. Members of the Macra clan were famously loyal to their leader, and when other clans didn’t pay loyalty and respect, the Macras responded with force.
The Macras maintained their independence and kept their identity intact over the centuries through a combination of resilience, diplomacy and craftiness. Despite periods of intense inter-clan warfare and other forms of conflict, the Macras remained one of the elite families of the Highlands until the 19th century.
Today, the surname Macra is still fairly common throughout Scotland. It is also increasingly popular in other parts of the United Kingdom, including England and Wales, as well as overseas in North America and Australasia. The meaning of the name is strong, honorable, and proud, a suitable testament to its proud clan ancestors.
Order DNA origin analysisMacra: Where does the name Macra come from?
The surname Macra does not appear in databases of surname origins or meanings, indicating that it may be quite rare or possibly a modern derivation. Often surnames containg "Mac" or "Mc" are of Scottish or Irish origin, as they denote "son of" in Gaelic, suggesting the name could potentially come from these areas.
However, without specific and credible sourcing, it's challenging to determine the exact geographical origin or commonality of the surname Macra today. It's recommended for those interested in the genealogy of this specific surname to consider DNA testing or professional genealogical research. Please note that surnames can have numerous variations and can change over time, which may also apply to the surname Macra.
Variations of the surname Macra
The surname Macra may have different variants, spellings and related surnames, derived from the same origin or sounding similar. Some of these might include MacRay, McRae, MacRae, MacCrae, McRay, McCrae, MacRea, MacRha, MacRai, MacRaw, MacRath, and MacRagh. The variants and spelling differences can also be resulted due to regional accents, transcription errors and Anglicization from Gaelic to English. For example, in Gaelic, the surname can be spelled as "Mac Raith" or "Mac Rath" where "Mac" means "son" and "Rath" means "prosperity" or "grace."
This surname is predominantly Scottish, originating from the Clan MacRae, also known as Clan Macrae, a Highland Scottish clan. Most bearers of the Macrae surname hail from the region of Kintail or the Isle of Skye in Scotland. Therefore, surnames from similar Celtic or Gaelic origins could be considered related.
It should also be noted that even though these different spellings and variants exist, their usage depends on personal or family preferences, legal documents, and also regional and cultural differences. Therefore, the presence of these different spellings and variants does not necessarily guarantee that individuals using them share the same ancestry or heritage.
Famous people with the name Macra
- Graeme Macrae Burnet: Scotland-based writer and winner of the 2016 IMPAC Dublin Literary Award.
- Ernie Macra: former professional Australian rules footballer.
- Sarah Macrae: actress, best known for her role in the television series ‘Water Rats’.
- Craig Macrae: former British soccer midfielder and a current scout for Premier League club Wolverhampton Wanderers.
- Brendan Macrae: former soccer player and coach, known for working with the European Golf Tour and the 1921 FA Cup Final runners-up, Clapton Orient.
- Duncan Macrae: Scottish actor who has appeared in numerous films and TV shows since the 1980s.
- Evan Macrae: former professional Canadian ice hockey player, best known for his time with the Baltimore Clippers of the American Hockey League.
- Colin Macrae: British actor and dramatic actor who was a member of Laurence Garrick's company.
- Kenneth Macrae: Scottish former cyclist, who represented the United Kingdom in the 1970 UCI Road World Championships.
- Murray Macrae: Canadian professional ice hockey player, who played for the Philadelphia Flyers in 1980.