Surname MacTeer - Meaning and Origin
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MacTeer: What does the surname MacTeer mean?
The surname MacTeer is of Scottish origin and its literal meaning is “the son of a Teacher”. Variants of this surname include MacTear or MacTire. The name likely originated from a man whose father was a teacher. This could imply that the man was especially learned or educated in some way compared to other members of his family and community.
The first recorded instance of the surname is Wylkyn mactire in 1441, making it a very old surname. The name likely would have become popular owing to its descriptive meaning, of the “son of a teacher”. Someone whose father is known to be a teacher would have likely been respected in a community for their knowledge.
The Scottish Gaelic form of the name is Mac an t-sagairt, which translates to mean “son of the priest”, suggesting that the name is an Anglicized form of an older Gaelic name.
The surname MacTeer is a great example of a Scottish surname that has a literal meaning. It likely originated from a highly educated or respected man in the community and is a testament to the importance of teachers within Scottish culture.
Order DNA origin analysisMacTeer: Where does the name MacTeer come from?
The last name MacTeer is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the south and mid-Atlantic states. It is particularly common in the states of Virginia, North Carolina, and South Carolina, as well as Alabama and Georgia. The MacTeer name is of Scottish origin, derived from Mac an Tíre or “son of the landowner”. It is a common surname in Scotland, particularly in Dumfries, the region from which the surname is believed to have originated.
In the United States, the surname is quite prominent in the regions where there is a long history of immigration from Scotland, primarily in the southern states. This is attributed to the vast number of Scots who emigrated to the United States during the colonial period and beyond. Many of those adopted the MacTeer surname as a way to distinguish themselves from other colonists. In addition, it is thought that many people of Scottish descent changed their name to MacTeer after the Revolutionary War as a way to avoid discrimination.
In modern times, the MacTeer surname is most prominent in the southern states of Virginia, North Carolina, South Carolina, Alabama, and Georgia. In addition, those with the surname are also found in most other states in the United States. The numbers of MacTeers around the world may be much larger than expected, as many have changed their surnames over the years and moved to other parts of the world. The MacTeer name is a reminder of the strong ties between the United States and Scotland.
Variations of the surname MacTeer
The MacTeer surname has several variants, spellings, and related names with the same origin. The most common of these include MacTire, MacTier, MacTire, McTear, and MacTeire.
MacTeer itself is an Anglicized Scottish spelling of a Gaelic surname that sometimes appears in records as Mac an t-Saoir. It is derived from a word meaning 'son of the craftsman' and refers to an artisan. The surname is associated with early clans of Scotland, such as the Maclarens, Macraes, MacLaurins, as well as other clans.
The MacTier and MacTire variants are both derived from Mac an-t-Saoir and are early forms of the surname, used prior to the Anglicization. McTear is the most common spelling variant of MacTeer, which is an anglicized version. It is derived from the same root and is a variant spelling of the name.
Other related names which may be associated with the same root include MacTeir, MacTear, MacTire, and MacTierra. MacTierra is a Spanish form of the name, typically found in Latin America.
As with any surname, variants and different spellings are common and can cause confusion. It is important to be aware of the various ways the surname has been spelled in order to ensure accurate research.
Famous people with the name MacTeer
- Frances Macteer: Famous model and advisor, known to have a strong presence on social media
- Alton MacTeer: American tenor saxophonist and musicologist
- Robert MacTeer: NBA player and former member of the Philadelphia 76ers
- Robert MacTeer Jr.: British actor and voice artist
- Alison MacTeer: American actress and singer
- Peter MacTeer: Canadian professional ice hockey player
- Tim MacTeer: American professional surf and fashion photographer
- Jack MacTeer: Scottish former professional footballer
- Roger MacTeer: former mayor of Charlotte, North Carolina
- Mo MacTeer: American actor and scriptwriter