Surname MacMartin - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacMartin: What does the surname MacMartin mean?
The last name MacMartin originated in Scotland and is of Clan MacMartin ancestry, meaning that individuals have a common ancestor within the clan. Historically, the name has been associated with the MacMartin clan, which is one of the oldest Highlanders Clans with records tracing it back to 1306. The name MacMartin is derived from the Gaelic MacMhathghamhuin, meaning “son of the bear” and is derived from the nickname of the clan's founder, Martin, the Bear.
The MacDonalds of Clanranald, the fierce clan of warriors of the Isles, were the main enemies of the Clan MacMartin. Historically, the MacMartins had many conflicts with the MacDonalds of Clanranald, which they frequently skirmished against. The MacDonalds were often regarded as the most terrifying of the Highlanders Clans, but the MacMartins managed to rise up through battle and become their equal.
The Clan MacMartin is traditionally associated with the ancient art of falconry, with members of the clan being renowned for their skill of handling and training falcons. The MacMartin Clan members were also well-known as merchants and traders in the 18th Century, with the name MacMartin symbolizing a symbol of success and prosperity.
In addition, many MacMartin Clan members are known to have contributed to important developments in agriculture and engineering. For example, two Clan MacMartin members are credited with developing the modern plough used in farming.
The last name MacMartin still carries a sense of pride and legacy in Scotland today and is a reminder of the clan's incredible past. In present times, many members of the clan can be found scattered around the world with each individual proudly carrying the MacMartin name.
Order DNA origin analysisMacMartin: Where does the name MacMartin come from?
The last name MacMartin has been historically associated with Scottish Highlanders. Today, the MacMartin surname is most commonly found in the Canadian provinces of Quebec and Ontario, with a largely Scottish Gaelic heritage.
In Canada, the vast majority of Canadians with the surname MacMartin trace their roots back to Scottish ancestry. According to research by Canada’s Historical Society, the MacMartin surname has its earliest recorded appearance in Canada in the late 18th century in the form of Gaelic-speaking Highlanders from Scotland who settled in Quebec and Ontario.
Given this history, it is no surprise that the MacMartin surname continues to be present in both provinces today. According to the 2016 Census of Canada, nearly 9,000 Canadians with the surname MacMartin reside in Canada, with roughly 7,000 of those living in Quebec and the remaining 2,000 in Ontario.
The MacMartin surname is also found in other parts of the world, including the United States, Australia, and Scotland. In the United States, many MacMartins can be found in the state of New York, which has a long history of European settlers. There are approximately 1,800 MacMartin surnames counted in the United States.
The MacMartin surname is also found in Australia, which also has a high number of people of Scottish ancestry. The 2016 Census of Australia reported roughly 800 MacMartins living in the country. In Scotland, the surname MacMartin is most commonly found in the northwestern region, where Highlanders lived and worked for hundreds of years.
Overall, the MacMartin surname was historically associated with Scottish Highlanders, with its highest concentration being found in Canada. Today, the MacMartin surname can be found in Canada, the United States, Australia, and Scotland.
Variations of the surname MacMartin
The surname MacMartin is an old Scottish and Irish name of Gaelic origin, derived from the name Mac Mhaoirin. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the name MacMartin include MacMartin, MacMerthin, MacMertyn, MacMertyne, MacMurtin, MacMortin, MacMartine, MacMartyn, and MacMorten.
The MacMartin name originated in Scotland on the Isle of Islay, which is part of the Inner Hebrides. The first recorded bearer of the name was Máel Petair Mac Mhaoirin, which was recorded in 1209.
MacMartin is a Scottish variant of the Irish surname MacMurtry, which is derived from the Gaelic MacMurchaidh. This name is found especially in the Connacht region of Ireland, and is usually translated as “son of the sea”.
MacMurchaidh can also be spelled MacMurphy, MacMurdo, MacMory, MacMorrish, MacMorran, and MacMorrow. The name is also found in the forms MacMarten, MacBratney, MacMaster, MacMary, MacMaryin, and MacMeryn.
In Scotland, the MacMartin name is sometimes spelled as McMartin, McMartin, or McMurtry. In Scotland, and among some families in Ireland, the name is also found in the variant spellings MacMurtrie, MacMiculture, MacMortean, and MacMaltieson.
In Ireland, the name is sometimes found in the forms of MacMorphey, MacMulvihill, MacMordaunt, MacMoragh, and MacMurrough. In some cases, the name is shortened to just Martin.
- - -
In sum, the surname MacMartin is an old Scottish and Irish name of Gaelic origin. Variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin for the name MacMartin include MacMartin, MacMerthin, MacMertyn, MacMertyne, MacMurtin, MacMortin, MacMartine, MacMartyn, MacMorten, McMartin, McMartin, McMurtry, MacMurtrie, MacMiculture, MacMortean, MacMaltieson, MacMorphey, MacMulvihill, MacMordaunt, MacMoragh, and MacMurrough. In some cases, the name is shortened to just Martin.
Famous people with the name MacMartin
- Hayley MacMartin: Canadian actress, producer and screenwriter who rose to prominence after starring in the 2016 feature-film, A Sunday Kind of Love.
- Gail MacMartin: Canadian author of the book series "The Darkest Time Trilogy".
- Richard MacMartin: British-born Canadian actor known for his films including The Pink Panther and The Great Gatsby.
- Peter MacMartin: Canadian Olympic short-track speed skater who won a bronze medal in 1992.
- Tristan MacMartin: Canadian actor and model who starred in the TV series, Life with Derek.
- Jonathan MacMartin: Canadian football player who has played in the CFL since 2016.
- Diane MacMartin: Canadian singer and actress who has released several albums and starred in several films and television shows.
- Jessamine MacMartin: British-born Canadian actress best known for her roles in the films Reservation Road and Winter Passing.
- Carole MacMartin: Canadian politician who served as Member of Parliament for Simcoe North from 2004 to 2011.
- Peyton MacMartin: Canadian actor who starred in the 2014 family comedy film, Never Ending Summer.