Surname Mowatt - Meaning and Origin
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Mowatt: What does the surname Mowatt mean?
The surname Mowatt is of Scottish origin and typically associated with the region of Ayrshire. The name itself is believed to be derived from the Gaelic term "Mag Uidhir", roughly translating to "son of Odhar" or "son of the dun-colored one." Over time, the name evolved through various forms such as M'Watt and McWad, eventually becoming Mowatt. It is also thought that this surname could be locational, deriving from a place called Moffat in Dumfriesshire, Scotland. Members of the Mowatt family have been prominent in Scotland's history, particularly in areas such as Aberdeenshire and Ayrshire. Although the name has Scottish roots, it has spread throughout the world due to emigration and can be found in countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia, among many others.
Order DNA origin analysisMowatt: Where does the name Mowatt come from?
The last name MOWATT is most commonly found in the United Kingdom, particularly in Scotland. MOWATT has origins in the clan of Mowat, which was found in the Scottish Highlands in the 12th century AD. The name has taken on many forms and spellings, including Mowatt, Mauat, Mouat, Movat, and Movatt.
In Scotland, MOWATT families are still found in large numbers around the Moray Firth at Elgin and the lowlands of Angus and Perthshire. It is also still found in places such as Hamilton and Ottershaw in Lanarkshire, as well as throughout the Western Isles, Fife, and Angus.
MOWATT families can also be found in large numbers in other parts of the world, including Canada, the United States, and Australia. These families may have originated from those who initially emigrated from the Scottish Highlands, bringing the name with them. Examples of this can particularly be seen in North America, with many MOWATT individuals found in Canada, as well as Iowa, Ohio, and Pennsylvania in the United States.
Overall, MOWATT is a common surname throughout the British Isles, with origins over 800 years ago. It is also still found in other parts of the world due to those who have emigrated and taken the name with them.
Variations of the surname Mowatt
Mowatt is a surname derived from the Gaelic phrase mhic Odhar meaning ‘son of Odhar’. This given name was originally popular in Scotland and northern Ireland, and has since spread across the world.
The surname Mowatt has many variants, spellings, and surnames with the same origin. Variations of Mowatt include MacOdhair, MacOdhar, MacOdhern, MacOWatt, MacOwt, MacOat, MacOote, MacOtt, MacOtty, MacOhtt, and MacOdgett. The Irish spelling is usually MacOdhair, while the Scottish spelling is usually MacOwt.
Common Anglicized spellings of MacOdhair/MacOwt include Mowat, Mowatt, Mawatt, MaOwat, Maowatt, Mawat, Mauat, Mauatt, Moat, Moatt, Mouat, Mouatt, Mowett, and, Moett.
Other surnames with the same origin include MacOte, Wat, Watt, Wate, Wett, and Oat. All of these surnames are derived from the old Gaelic name mhic Odhar, which means "son of Odhar."
The origin of the name Mowatt is the Scottish and Irish spelling of MacOdhar, which is derived from the Gaelic name MacOdhair. This was a popular given name in Scotland and Ireland. It was also used as a personal name among clans of Scotland and Ireland, such as the MacQuarrires and MacDonnells.
Today, Mowatt is still a popular surname across the world. People spelling their surname as Mowatt can trace its origin to Scotland and Ireland, as it is derived from the Gaelic phrase mhic Odhar.
Famous people with the name Mowatt
- Frantz Mowatt: American poet, scholar, and professor of literature at Vassar College
- Jomo Mowatt: Jamaican soccer player
- Lynda Mowatt: British professor of health and community studies at the University of Edinburgh
- Anna Maria Mowatt: American actress, satirist, playwright, and author of popular 19th-century plays
- Pat Mowatt: Canadian actor, writer, and director
- Galen Mowatt: Canadian actor, comedian, and producer
- Bruce Mowatt: Scottish international footballer
- Michael Mowatt-Larssen: Former United States Central Intelligence Agency officer and expert on terrorism
- Robert Mowatt: Former U.S. Navy admiral and the first African-American to achieve the rank
- Kris Mowatt: New Zealand drummer and sound engineer