Surname MacTier - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacTier: What does the surname MacTier mean?
The surname MacTier is derived from the Gaelic Mac an tSaoir, which translates to "son of the craftsman”. It was originally a designation for a clan of skilled artisans in Scotland and Ireland. The origin of the name has been spelled MacTire, MacTeer, and McTeer.
The ancestral home of the MacTier clan is the coastal region of Argyll in Scotland. The MacTier family originated in Cowal, in the vicinity of Strathlachlan Parish. Through the centuries the MacTier clan spread out over the western Scottish Isles, migrating to the mainland and eventually into Ireland.
The MacTiers were renowned for their craftsmanship in high-quality woolen cloth, as well as their skill as carpenters and masons. They were among the earliest workers in the wool industry in Scotland. Most of the MacTier emigrants were small farmers and craftsmen who pursued a variety of trades.
Today, the MacTier surname can be found throughout the United Kingdom, Europe, Australasia, and North America. In the United States, the MacTier surname is most commonly associated with Irish and Scots-Irish immigrants, as well as with Canadian immigrants who settled in the Appalachian regions. As a testament to their enduring legacy, many places around the world bear the MacTier surname in place-names, such as MacTier Point in Canada, MacTier Bridge in Scotland, and MacTier Avenue in Philadelphia, USA.
Order DNA origin analysisMacTier: Where does the name MacTier come from?
The last name MacTier is mainly associated with Scotland and Ireland. It is a common surname in both countries, particularly in the west of Scotland and in Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the MacTier surname is particularly frequent in the Highland and Western Isles regions. In Northern Ireland, the prefix Mac is most common in the north, particularly in counties Donegal, Derry and Antrim.
The MacTier last name is also found in England and America. In England, the MacTier last name is most common in the North Midlands and East Wales. In America, the MacTier surname can be found mainly in the American Midwest and Northeast, particularly in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
The MacTier surname may have derived from the Gaelic Mac an t-Saoir, meaning 'son of the craftsman'. In some cases, the two may be interchangeable, as MacTier is sometimes spelled as MacanTyre or MacanTire. It is a patronymic surname, meaning that the name is passed down from the father, however, it has also been used as a given name.
The MacTier surname is still present today in Scotland, Northern Ireland, England and America. In Scotland, the MacTier last name is particularly frequent in the Highland and Western Isles regions. In Northern Ireland, the MacTier last name can be found mainly in the north, particularly in counties Donegal, Derry and Antrim. In England, the MacTier last name is most common in the North Midlands and East Wales. In America, the MacTier surname can be found mainly in the American Midwest and Northeast, particularly in Massachusetts and Pennsylvania.
Variations of the surname MacTier
The MacTier surname has a few variants in spelling and in other forms. In Scotland, the most common variation is MacTire. This spelling also has a 'MacTyer' variation. In Ireland, it can be seen as 'MacTire,' 'MacTyer' or 'MacTire'. It can also be seen as 'MacTiernan' which is an Anglicisation of its original form.
The spelling of 'MacTire' can be seen in Scotland, Ireland and England, and is a variant of the Gaelic 'Mac Tuir', meaning 'son of the boar'. 'MacTyre' is another variant seen mainly in Scotland where it can mean the 'son of the land owner'.
The surname can also be seen as 'MacTierney' which is an Anglicized version of the original Irish/Gaelic 'MacTiernan'. It may have been shortened to 'MacTier' over time. 'MacTiernan' itself is derived from the Irish/Gaelic 'MacTuirne'.
In Scotland, the MacTier surname can also be seen as 'MacMaster'. This surname is an Anglicized version of the original 'MacRae', a form of 'MacTuirne'.
The MacTier surname can also be seen in Scotland and Ireland as 'Mac Tire'. This form of the surname is an Anglicized version of the original Scottish/Gaelic 'MacTuir'.
In Ireland, another form of the MacTier surname is 'MacTiarnain' and 'MacTernan'. These are anglicized versions of the original Irish 'MacTiarnaigh'.
The MacTier surname may be seen as a variant of 'MacHenry' or 'McHenry'. This rare form of the surname is derived from the Gaelic 'MacEanraig' or 'MacEanruig', meaning 'son of Henry'.
It is important to note that variants and spellings of the same surname can sometimes be seen in different countries. It is best to research thoroughly to honor the legacy of the name.
Famous people with the name MacTier
- Bill MacTier: Award-winning Canadian filmmaker who wrote and directed short and feature-length films including Digger, The Chair and Spark.
- Steve MacTier: Member of the punk band The Lurkers, who formed in 1976.
- Rachel MacTier: Scottish composer and songwriter who has composed for orchestras and musicals, featuring work on productions such as the Tony-winning musical War Horse.
- James MacTier: Award-winning British actor best known for his work in the James Bond movie, The Spy Who Loved Me. He also appeared in the popular series, Poldark.
- Frank MacTier: Lead singer and songwriter of the band The Ocean Blue, which formed in 1988 and released a series of popular albums in the 1990s.
- David MacTier: Scottish singer-songwriter whose career spans four decades, having released albums and performed globally with renowned folk-rock acts including Wishbone Ash, Ian Anderson and Three Degrees.
- Leith MacTier: Canadian National Non-Fiction Award winner, notable for her work as a journalist, broadcaster, and literary activist.
- Robert MacTier: Scottish clergyman in the Church of Scotland, noted for service in both World Wars and Logie award-winning roles in the popular Saturday nights BBC variety show, The Good Old Days.
- Lucy MacTier: Scottish stage actress with credits in both classical and contemporary drama. Notably she appeared with Sir Ian McKellen and was the first female Doctor Who in 2010.
- Archie MacTier: Scottish cyclist, most well-known for his gold medal performance in the team sprint event at the Commonwealth Games in 1954.