Surname MacCraith - Meaning and Origin
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MacCraith: What does the surname MacCraith mean?
The surname MacCraith is of Gaelic origin, deriving from the personal name "Mac Craith." It is primarily associated with Irish and Scottish ancestry. The first part of the name, "Mac," means "son of" in Gaelic, while "Craith" is believed to mean "grace" or "prosperity." Thus, the surname MacCraith may loosely translate to "son of grace" or "son of prosperity." This name has numerous variants, including MacCrae, MacRae, MacGrath, McGrath and others, reflecting the modifications that occurred with linguistic shifts and migrations across generations and geographical regions. As with many surnames based on patronymics, MacCraith would have originally been used to denote familial relationships, specifically implying that a person was the son of a man named Craith. Over time, these types of names evolved to serve as family or last names, passed down through subsequent generations.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCraith: Where does the name MacCraith come from?
MacCraith is a surname of Irish origin, derived from the Irish name "Mac Craith" or "Magraith". It translates to "son of grace". This surname is primarily connected to the Irish Gaelic clan system, particularly associated with Counties Tipperary and Waterford in southeastern Ireland. The variant spelling McGrath is typically more common and widespread today. Some family members emigrated during the times of famine and unrest in the 19th century, dispersing the surname worldwide. Today, individuals with the MacCraith or McGrath surname can be found in many English-speaking countries including the United States, Canada, England, Australia, and New Zealand. Despite its spread, it is still most commonly found in Ireland, particularly the Munster region where it originated.
Variations of the surname MacCraith
The surname MacCraith has several variants spelling based on pronunciation, region, and historical context. Some of the common variants include McCraith, MacRaith, MacRath, McCrath, and McGrath. Another commonly seen version is MacCrae, primarily used in Scotland, and it's variant MacRae.
The name itself is originated from Irish background and is most prevalent in Ireland. In Irish, it is derived from the word "Mac Craith", meaning "son of grace" or "son of prosperity". In the past, names were modified as per phonetic and regional interpretations, leading to the name being written in English in different ways.
The surname McCrea and Magrath are also considered to be part of the same origin as MacCraith. The variant Maguire is a closely related surname from the same Gaelic root and is primarily found in Northern Ireland.
Additionally, demographic movement and immigration have led to further variants of this surname in different countries like the US, Canada, and Australia.
Famous people with the name MacCraith
- Dáithí MacCraith: Irish footballer and manager.
- Mícheál MacCraith: Irish Gaelic footballer.
- Níamh MacCraith: Irish multidisciplinary artist.
- Pádraic MacCraith: Irish sports journalist.
- Cormac MacCraith: Irish politician and Mayor of Dublin City Council.
- Pól MacCraith: Irish actor, writer and director.
- Seosamh MacCraith: Irish traditional musician and singer.
- Seán MacCraith: Irish republican politician and Martin McGuinness's chief of staff.
- Brian MacCraith: Irish physicist and President of Dublin City University.
- Fearghal MacCraith: Irish sports commentator.