Surname MacSherry - Meaning and Origin

MacSherry: What does the surname MacSherry mean?

The last name MacSherry is of Scottish origin and is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac*Shearraigh, which means “son of Shearraigh” or “son of the fortunate one”.

The MacSherrys are a sept of the McGregors, and therefore descend from the famous Celtic warrior king Alpin, who was likely a Pict. Alpin was the ancestral father of Kenneth MacAlpin, the first King of Scotland, and the McShearraighs were an ancient MacAlpin clan that had been settled in their homeland of Mull, Argyll on the west coast since at least the 12th century.

The MacSherrys chose their name as a reminder of MacAlpin’s line and of their good fortune. The MacShearraighs held high offices in their home county of Mull as justices, bailies and landlords. During the 13th and 14th centuries, they acted as the sheriffs of Mull and Tiree and were responsible for maintaining the peace. They were also successful merchants and traders and operated on both sides of the Irish Channel.

The MacSherrys are a proud and noble family that continues to honor their Gaelic roots even today. They are a strong and proud people, who believed in preserving their cultural heritage and keeping alive the stories of their ancestors. They have made an important contribution to the history of Scotland and remain an important part of Scottish culture.

MacSherry: Where does the name MacSherry come from?

The last name MacSherry is most common in Scotland, Ireland and Northern England today. According to Ancestry.com, in Scotland the name MacSherry is particularly common in the Angus region, particularly in and around the town of Dundee. It is also found in various counties across Scotland, including Argyll, Ayrshire, Lanarkshire, Renfrewshire, and Wigtownshire.

In Ireland, MacSherry is mainly found in the province of Munster. The 1901 and 1911 census of Ireland recorded more than 300 people with the last name MacSherry living in County Kerry. It is also common in County Cork, County Clare, County Limerick, and County Waterford.

In Northern England, MacSherry is often found in the region of Northumbria and Cumbria. In the 1881 and 1901 census of England and Wales, MacSherry was found in both counties, mainly along the border of Scotland.

Through the years, the name MacSherry has been spelled many different ways, including MacSherrie, MacSheery, MacSheree, MacSharry, Macherrie, MacSherrye, and MacSarry. It is likely that some of these variants are still in use today.

Variations of the surname MacSherry

MacSherry is an uncommon surname of Irish origin, and derived from the surname Mac Gearailt. It is also referred to as Mac Searraigh, Mac Sherry, Mac Shera, Mac Shearaigh, Mac Shearraigh and Mac Sherraigh. These variants of the name probably originated from the same ancestor.

The Irish Gaelic form of the name is Mac Searraigh, sometimes anglicised as Mac Sherry or Mac Sherraigh. The people with this surname would have descended from Gearóid, who was a member of the royal family and part of the Corca Laidhe Chiefs in the ancient Irish Kingdom of Thomond.

The old spelling variant of the surname 'MacSherraigh' is derived from the Irish surname 'Mac layer'. It is also known as 'oan fhaodar mac searrai', which means 'son ofSerraigh'. Mac Sherry was also commonly found in Connacht, in west and north Munster in County Clare and County Galway.

The surname Mac Gearailt is derived from the old Irish surname Mac Gearailt, which is composed of the two words 'mac' meaning 'son of' and 'gearailt', a personal name composed of the elements 'gear', meaning 'choice' and 'ailt', meaning 'noble'.

In Scotland, the surname MacSherry is found mainly as an Anglicisation of Mac Gearailt, but is also listed as Mac-Shire in some records.

Today, descendants of the original people with the surname MacSherry can be found primarily in Ireland, particularly in counties Dublin, Galway and Cork. They are more numerous in the United States, with many families residing in Brooklyn, NY, and Baltimore, Maryland. Other variants of the name are spelt differently in various countries, such as McSherry in America.

Famous people with the name MacSherry

• Lynn MacSherry: Described as a “fiercely independent” activist, Lynn MacSherry is an author and disability rights advocate. She is currently completing her masters at Queen’s University while campaigning on a diverse range of issues from local concerns to broader societal perspectives.
• Jeremy MacSherry: An avid entrepreneur, Jeremy MacSherry co-founded multiple businesses alongside his brother, Paul MacSherry. He has since moved on to other projects, currently investing in a variety of start-ups in the health and lifestyle space.
• Paul MacSherry: Paul MacSherry is an acclaimed restaurateur and hotelier known for his classic establishments in the United Kingdom. He is also an active advocate for preserving the historic architecture of the British Isles and preserving handicrafts.
• Justin MacSherry: A rising Hollywood star, Justin MacSherry has already starred in a handful of feature films, television series, and commercials. His movie roles have garnered positive reviews from critics and he shows no signs of slowing down anytime soon.
• Sean MacSherry: Multi-instrumentalist Sean MacSherry has released several albums across a broad variety of genres. He particularly excels at jazz and traditional Irish music, and plays more than seven instruments at a professional level.
• Maggie MacSherry: A noted philanthropist, Maggie MacSherry is best known for her humanitarian work in Africa and other developing countries. She funds, supports, and participates in a broad array of projects aiming to improve the lives of the world’s poorest citizens.
• Kay MacSherry: A renowned fashion designer and former supermodel, Kay MacSherry has created haute couture, ready-to-wear, and menswear lines for several international luxury brands. Her designs have won multiple awards and been worn by high-profile celebrities.
• Corinne MacSherry: A renowned artist, Corinne MacSherry’s unique work has been acclaimed in numerous exhibitions across the globe. She often combines painting with raw materials and found objects, creating works of art that are both abstract and unexpected.

Other surnames

MacShera