Surname McPheter - Meaning and Origin

McPheter: What does the surname McPheter mean?

The last name McPheter is an anglicized form of the Scottish surname Macpether. It is derived from the Gaelic Macpiotair which means "son of the piper". This surname originated in the parish of Kilmory on the island of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland.

The surname itself refers to an ancient profession, the piper. Pipes were played to accompany localised dances, as well as village gatherings, fairs, and performances during religious ceremonies. A piper would use a range of instruments, from the bagpipes to smaller versions such as the whistle or flute. They were usually hired to provide the music at weddings, funerals and other events of importance.

The name McPheter is believed to have been used in Scotland since the mid-13th century. Records of families bearing the surname have been found from the early 17th century, giving evidence of their long-standing presence in the country.

Whilst not widely used today, the McPheter name remains strongly embedded in Scottish history. It is often found amongst families who have a strong connection to the island of Islay, where its origin stories are held. In modern times, the name is a reminder of Scotland’s rich and varied past – a proud reminder of the sure footing of the past, and of a profession passed down through the generations.

McPheter: Where does the name McPheter come from?

Today, the last name McPheter is most commonly found in Scotland, Ireland and England. This surname originated from the Old Gaelic personal name Mac Pheadair, meaning "son of Pheadair" where Pheadair is the Celtic form of Peter. McPheter might also be spelled differently, such as McPheeters, McPhedrans, McFeeters, McFeathers and McFeders.

McPheter might have been brought to Scotland by settlers from Ireland, where it is still found most often today. Scotland has the highest population, with more than 1,500 individuals bearing this name. It can be found in the locations of Edinburgh, Glasgow, Birmingham, Manchester and several other cities.

McPheter is also found in England, specifically in Liverpool and the East Midlands. There is also a small population in Cornwall.

The McPheter surname can also be found in various other countries including the United States, Canada, and Australia.

In the United States, the McPheter surname is most commonly found in the states of Pennsylvania, Georgia, and Florida. Canadian residents can find McPheter in the provinces of Ontario, Quebec and British Columbia.

Australia has the smallest population of McPheter speakers, with fewer than 100 individuals bearing the surname. It can be found in the states of Victoria and New South Wales.

Overall, the McPheter surname has a wide distribution and can be found all over the world. However, it is most commonly found in Scotland, Ireland, England, the United States, Canada, and Australia.

Variations of the surname McPheter

The surname McPheter is a variant of the Irish Mac Uidhir, derived from the Gaelic Mac Uidhir. This Gaelic surname translates to the son of the odhar or dun. It is an Irish patronymic surname originating from the Midlands of Ireland and is still found in various parts of the country today.

Variants of the surname McPheter include MacPhether, MacFeter, MacPheler, MacPheller, MacPheles and MacPhelar. Spellings of the name include McPhether, McPhethers, McPethar, McPethear and McPethir.

Surnames of the same origin as McPheter include McPhedran, MacPherran, MacPherron, MacParran, MacParron, Meehiren, McGarry, McGee, MacGhee, and MacGarry. These surnames all originate from Ireland, usually from one of the four main provinces of Leinster, Munster, Ulster and Connaught.

The use of surnames of the same origin are widespread across the world and are found in Scotland, Canada, United States, Australia and New Zealand. The use of the surnames will usually differ from one country to the next, depending on their language and culture. An example of this can be seen in the Scottish spelling of the surname MacFeter, which is MacPhether.

In conclusion, the surname McPheter is one of many variants and spellings of the Irish Gaelic Mac Uidhir, which translates to the son of the odhar or dun. Variants of the McPheter surname include MacPhether, MacFeter MacPheler, MacPheller and MacPhelar. Spellings include McPhether, McPhethers, McPethar, McPethear and McPethir. Surnames of the same origin include McPhedran, MacPherran, MacPherron, MacParran, MacParron, Meehiren, McGarry, McGee, MacGhee and MacGarry.

Famous people with the name McPheter

• John McPheter: lead vocalist and rhythm guitarist of English alternative rock band Don Broco.
• Jake McPheter: professional football player who plays defensive tackle for the Minnesota Vikings of the National Football League.
• Dean McPheter: actor and producer most known for his role as a Special Agent on the CBS television series NCIS.
• Eva McPheter: Latin American reality television star and businesswoman who appeared on the Mexican version of Big Brother.
• Hayley McPheter: fashion designer and winner of the 2019 International Woolmark Prize.
• Jakep McPheter: Scottish footballer and former professional competitor in Formula One racing.
• Devon McPheter: former British Formula One racing driver from Scotland who was Formula One World Champion in 1995 and 1996.
• Adele McPheter: British-born Australian actress known for her work on Hey Dad..!, All Saints and City Homicide.
• Mark McPheter: founder and managing director of the McPheter Group, a property investment and development company based in London, England.
• Emma McPheter: British singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist who released her debut album in 2011.

Other surnames

McPheters