Surname McCra - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McCra: What does the surname McCra mean?
The last name McCra is a variation of the surname Mac Craith, which is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic words “Mac”, meaning “son” and “Craith”, meaning “love”, and thus the surname McCra could be translated to mean “son of love”. This name can be traced back to the ancient Irish kingdom of Meath, which was located in the middle of Ireland.
The McCra surname is variably spelled, with McCra, McCrea and McCray being the most popularized spellings. It is most commonly found in the provinces of Northern Ireland and Scotland, as well as in the United States, where it was brought over by Irish immigrants.
The McCra family is believed to be descended from Craith na Tuatha – princes of the Tuatha De Danaan – and dates back to the 5th century. The earliest known McCraes origins in Scotland date back to 1250 in Dumfries and Galloway, where the family was thought to be of the same root as that of McCreas from Northern Ireland.
Today, the surname McCra is still used extensively in many parts of the world. It is held in high regard by those who proudly bear the name, as it symbolizes a strong line of Irish heritage and tradition.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCra: Where does the name McCra come from?
The surname McCra appears to be of Scottish origin, likely deriving from the Gaelic surname "Mac Raith" or "Mac Rath," meaning "son of grace" or "son of prosperity." However, it is not a common surname and there isn't significant documented history for this exactly spelled name. Surnames of a similar nature, such as McCrea or McCrae (both meaning "son of grace" or "son of prosperity") are more common and carry more detailed records. Today, McCra as a surname isn't particularly common but it could be found dispersed in English-speaking countries like the UK, the United States, Canada, Australia or New Zealand which had heavy Scottish and Irish immigration in the past centuries. It's worth noting that variation in spelling could be due to phonetic transcription during immigration processes, and what we see as McCra today could be a variation of other original Gaelic surnames. As with all surname tracing, individual family lore, and detailed genealogical research will provide the most accurate information.
Variations of the surname McCra
The surname McCra could potentially be a variant of several Irish or Scottish Gaelic surnames given its prefix “Mc” indicating “son of”. Notable variants and spellings could include McCray, McCrea, McCrae, and McKrae. MacCrae is another variant which also uses the Scottish and Irish prefix meaning "son".
Additionally, depending on region and transliteration, it could potentially be a shorter form or spelling variant for McCracken or McGrath. The surname could have also been McRae at some point but was shortened. The use of capitalization in 'Mc' words can vary, hence some might write it as 'Macra' or 'MacRae'.
Origins could also be misinterpretations or translations from old records where handwriting is difficult to decipher. Phonetically similar names such as Makara or even Mehra could be mistakenly translated into McCra.
It's important to note that surname origins are not always exact, as variations and spellings can change significantly over time and differ greatly depending on geographical location, context, and family lineage. Surnames can be influenced by occupation, location, or even personal characteristics. Therefore, determining exact origins and variants can be complex, necessitating comprehensive genealogical research to ensure accuracy.
Famous people with the name McCra
- Stephen McCra: a fitness expert, lifestyle mentor, and motivational speaker.
- Garreth McCra: a Scottish Christian singer and songwriter.
- Sean McCra: a Canadian actor who has appeared in such movies as Just Friends and I, Robot.
- Andy McCra: an English actor who has appeared in films such as The League of Gentlemen's Apocalypse and Pirates of the Caribbean: On Stranger Tides.
- Shane McCra: an American professional wrestler.
- Danny McCra: an American professional surfer.
- Toby McCra: a British singer-songwriter and guitarist who has released several albums.
- David McCra: an American jazz saxophonist.
- Janie McCra: an Australian actress who has appeared in television shows such as Home & Away and Neighbours.
- Colin McCra: a Canadian-British photographer who mainly focuses on photojournalism, portraiture and landscapes.