Surname MacRitchie - Meaning and Origin
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MacRitchie: What does the surname MacRitchie mean?
The last name MacRitchie is of Scottish origin. This name is derived from the Gaelic word Mac Riastair, which means "son of Riastair". The Gaelic form of Riastair is 'Righ Iasda', which means "King of Justice".
The Scottish Clan MacRitchie traces its roots to Norman settlers in the 13th century in Dumfriesshire. The name MacRitchie has been associated with the area ever since.
The MacRitchie story begins with Riastair I, who was thought to be the first member of the clan, living in Galloway, Dumfriesshire, around 1220. The MacRitchie clan was a branch of the Clan Maclaurin, from which the MacRitches claimed descent. As the family grew, members spread out to both England and Ireland, with many more settling in America during the 19th and 20th centuries.
The MacRitchie clan crest reads, “Constancy and Fidelity”, and with their proud family history it’s no surprise the clan values these traits so highly. There’s a sense pride and strength associated with the family as demonstrated by their cherished motto ‘Constant in Fidelity." The family continues to be closely associated with Dumfries, and the spirit of the MacRitchie continues to live on through their proud descendants.
Order DNA origin analysisMacRitchie: Where does the name MacRitchie come from?
The last name MacRitchie can be found throughout Scotland, Ireland, and Canada, as well as other countries across the world. In Scotland, its presence tends to be highest in Argyll and Caithness, where the name was first recorded as early as the 13th century.
In Ireland, the last name MacRitchie is most commonly found in the Northern counties, particularly in Ulster's Antrim and Donegal, as well as Rathlin Island.
In Canada, MacRitchie is concentrated in Ontario, with pockets of families having descended from Scots-Irish immigrants throughout the provinces. One of the earliest recorded examples of the name in Canada is when Thomas MacRitchie was recorded as arriving in the country in 1810.
Today, MacRitchie is a well-established surname that has spread to many English-speaking countries, primarily in the Amercias, Oceania, and Europe. In the United States, families bearing the MacRitchie surname can be found in areas with a long Scottish history such as Massachusetts and New York, as well as in the states of Illinois, Utah, Nevada, and Florida.
Outside of the English-speaking world, there have been instances of the MacRitchie name being recorded in Russia and other Slavic countries, as well as in France, Germany, and the Czech Republic.
In short, although the last name MacRitchie has not been as well-distributed as others, today it is widespread, found in countries around the world, with areas of particularly high concentrations in Scotland, Ireland, and Canada.
Variations of the surname MacRitchie
MacRitchie is a Scottish surname that originated from the name MacRaith or Macrae. The name MacRaith was a variant of the Gaelic "Macratha," which meant “son of grace.” The name may be spelled Macritchie, McRitchie, MacRithie, and MacRathie.
The four spellings of MacRitchie used today are MacRitchie, McRitchie, MacRithie, and MacRathie. MacRitchie is the oldest spelling, with all other variants being derived from it. McRitchie is the most common spelling of the four. MacRithie is the rarest spelling, and MacRathie is the least popular.
Variant spellings or branches of the same family can also be found in countries outside of Scotland, such as Ireland and England. In Ireland, the names may be spelled MacRaithe, MacReachtaigh, MacRaithe, or McRath. In England, the name is spelled MacRae, MacRae-Dacre, and MacRae de Lyle.
The MacRitchie surname is a fairly common one that is most widely used in Scotland, Ireland, and England. It is believed to have originated from the name MacRaith, meaning “son of grace”. Despite being spelled in a variety of ways, all of the variants can be traced back to the same family.
Famous people with the name MacRitchie
- Calum MacRitchie: a professional snowboarder from Scotland
- Sir George MacRitchie: a Scottish geologist and mountaineer
- Ian MacRitchie: an English music composer, producer, and songwriter
- Andrew MacRitchie: a Scottish journalist, historian, and Professor of Scottish History
- Robert MacRitchie: a Scottish engineer
- David MacRitchie: an English contemporary classical musician
- Mary MacRitchie: a Scottish complex cases lawyer
- Andrew MacRitchie: an Australian filmmaker
- Robert MacRitchie: a Scottish-born artist
- John MacRitchie: a Scottish-born haulier and entrepreneur