Surname MacWattie - Meaning and Origin

MacWattie: What does the surname MacWattie mean?

The last name MacWattie is derived from the Scottish Gaelic surname MacUaiti, meaning "son of Walter". It is primarily found in the western Highlands and Islands of Scotland.

The origin of the surname is associated with the 12th-century Gaelic personal name Uaiti, which is derived from the Olde English name Watta. This was in turn derived from the Old English word "wætt" meaning "forest". Variations of the surname include MacWatty, Wattie and MacWaty.

The clan associated with the surname MacWattie are the Clan Chattan, a group of Highland Scottish clans historically situated in the Great Glen of central Scotland. The Chattan clans were once known collectively as the Clan Macpherson. This group had its own tartan and motto ("Touch not the cat bot a glove").

The surname MacWattie can also be found scattered in English and Irish records, as well as in the United States and Canada. Those with the surname MacWattie around the world today can trace their ancestry to Scotland and continue to bear this proud name and associated heritage.

MacWattie: Where does the name MacWattie come from?

The last name MacWattie is not a common name today, but is found mainly in Scotland, Northern Ireland and Canada. In Scotland, old records indicate that the earliest MacWatties are located in Edinburgh, Midlothian, Stirlingshire and Angus. In Northern Ireland, family records suggest the name was brought over by Scottish settlers.

In Canada, MacWattie originated in the latter half of the 19th century, with the first MacWattie arriving in Montreal in 1842. Since then, the MacWatties have spread across the country, but are mainly concentrated in Alberta, Nova Scotia and Prince Edward Island.

Today, MacWattie is a moderately rare surname. According to Scotland’s People, there are currently around 420 people in Scotland bearing the surname. In Canada, a 2019 study estimated the global population of MacWatties to be roughly 2000 people, mainly concentrated in the eastern parts of the country.

Interestingly, MacWattie is seen as somewhat of a Scottish-Irish hybrid. Although primarily a Scottish surname, its similarity with the Irish surname MacWalty has led some to suggest that there may be an Irish influence on the name. For example, some versions of the MacWattie coat of arms include an Irish harp - a feature less common in purely Scottish heraldry.

Variations of the surname MacWattie

The variants, spellings and surnames of MacWattie may vary depending on the origin of the name. MacWattie may also be spelled MacWatt, MacWatty, MacWattie, MacWhattee, McWatti, McWatty, McWhattee and MacWhattie. The Mac prefix indicates the surname originated in Scotland and Ireland and the Wattie, Watty and Whattee suffixes are derived from a personal name. It is thought to originate from a nickname or a short form of an Old German name like Walter or Watkin.

This surname also has some variant spellings and may also be found in the spelling of MacWeddy, MacWedy or MacWiddy. These spelling variations reflect the form of the name as it was pronounced in Scotland and the use of dialects.

Other surnames with similar etymologies and spellings include MacWhatley, MacWatley, MacWaltey, and MacWalley. All of these variants derive ultimately from the Old German personal name mentioned above.

The surname may also appear as variations of the original: MacWhitty, MacWhoaty, MacWhoaddy, MacWhattie, MacWharre, MacWhorrie, MacWhirray, MacWhirritt, MacWhorles and MacWhirley. These variants were used in different regions at different times.

In some parts of the world, the MacWattie surname may be associated with a particular clan or family. In Scotland, it is associated with the Clan MacWhirr in Northern Kintyre. In other places, the MacWattie surname is associated with the Clan Holmes in Dumfrieshire, Scotland.

Finally, many people have surnames derived from the MacWattie surname. These include Wattie, Watty, Whattee, Wedy, Widdy, Waltey, Whitty, Whoaty, Whoaddy, Whattie, Wharre, Whorrie, Whirray, Whirritt, Whorles, and Whirley. All of these surnames have different spellings but are ultimately derived from the same source.

Famous people with the name MacWattie

• Gordon MacWattie: Canadian game developer, programmer, and also co-founder of the game publishing company QA Software.
• Katherine MacWattie: Canadian concert pianist, music instructor, and composer.
• John MacWattie: American ice hockey goaltender, drafted in the fourth round of the 1975 NHL Amateur Draft by the Detroit Red Wings.
• Joseph MacWattie: Scottish actor best known for roles in The Long Way Home, The Shout, and Star Wars Episode VI: Return of the Jedi.
• Edward MacWattie: Scottish painter of the Baroque style, best known for his paintings of the Caledonian landscape of the Scottish Highlands.
• Donald MacWattie: Scottish-born Canadian professor of Political Science at Simon Fraser University in Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
• William MacWattie: Scottish military officer, who served during the American Revolutionary War in the North Carolina militia and later was a fiery and influential Loyalist officer during the American Revolution.
• Alec MacWattie: Scottish actor who made his theatrical debut in 1989, playing the role of Scotty in Wild West and has since starred in many Scottish plays.
• David MacWattie: Scottish teacher of religious education and former director of the Scottish Catholic Education Service.
• Wilma MacWattie: Scottish anti-feminist and traditionalist academic, who has written extensively about the history of women in Scotland.

Other surnames

MacWatters

Comments or additions to the name "MacWattie"

11.08.2024
I have rarely read so much inaccurate and misleading rubbish as this. There is not one iota of research behind any of the information written here. Someone must have made this up. It is absolute drivel.

Best wishes

William Forbes MacWattie