Surname McArthur - Meaning and Origin
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C. McArthur
read moreMcArthur: What does the surname McArthur mean?
The last name McArthur is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Artuir," which means "son of Arthur." The meaning of Arthur could be either "bear" or "rock" in ancient Celtic. Therefore, the name could signify the "son of the bear" or "son of the rock," implying strength and stability. The name appears in various spellings such as MacArthur, MacArter, and McArthur, among others, as a result of Anglicization of Scottish-Gaelic names. It became renowned worldwide due to individuals like General Douglas McArthur, an American five-star general who played a notable role in the Pacific theater during World War II.
Order DNA origin analysisMcArthur: Where does the name McArthur come from?
The surname McArthur is of Scottish origin. It originated from the ancient Celtic personal name Arthur. The prefix "Mc" is an abbreviated form of the Gaelic word "Mac" meaning "son of," thus McArthur translates to "Son of Arthur." The name Arthur itself means "Bear," originating from the Celtic word "artos." This surname became prominent due to the Scottish clan MacArthur, who were influential in the western region of Scotland, particularly in Argyll.
Today, McArthur is common in countries where Scottish people have emigrated over the centuries. This includes the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is also still common in Scotland and in other parts of the United Kingdom. Furthermore, due to historical migration and settling of Scots in Northern Ireland during the plantation period, the surname McArthur can also found there. Overall, despite its ancient origins, the surname McArthur has a worldwide presence in the present day.
Variations of the surname McArthur
The surname McArthur has Irish and Scottish origins and can be spelled in many different ways. Variations of the same name may display regional differences or even individual family branch distinctions. Some spelling variants of McArthur include MacArthur, M'Arthur, McArther, McCarthur, McArter, MacArter, and MacArther.
More distantly related names that could be of the same origin, due to cultural anglicization, patronymics, or through translation, include Arthur and Arter. Moreover, in Gaelic, the surname can be represented as MacArtair, derived from the personal name Artúr, meaning "Bear".
In some cases, this name has been Americanized into shorter or simpler forms, such as Carter, which could be derived from McArter or MacArter.
Please note that throughout history surnames have been adapted and changed due to a variety of factors including immigration, regional dialects, illiteracy or clergical errors. Thus, tracing a surname accurately can be challenging. Records such as birth, death or marriage certificates, as well as census data, may be needed for a more precise and detailed understanding.
Famous people with the name McArthur
- General Douglas MacArthur: He was a high-ranking American military leader during WWI, WWII, and the Korean War.
- Ellen MacArthur: A British sailor who gained world recognition for her solo round-the-world sailing records.
- James MacArthur: An American actor famous for his role as "Danno" in the original 1968 version of the television show Hawaii Five-O.
- Jean MacArthur: Wife of General Douglas MacArthur, and philanthropist/ military spouse activist.
- John D. MacArthur: A highly successful American businessman and philanthropist who established the MacArthur Foundation.
- Charles MacArthur: An American playwright and screenwriter known for his many contributions to the American theater and cinema.
- John R. MacArthur: President and publisher of Harper's Magazine.
- Jack MacArthur: An American Major League Baseball player.
- Phillip MacArthur: A Scottish Professional golfer.
- Gareth McArthur: An Olympic Figure Skater from New Zealand. Remember, the names listed are those who spell their surname as 'MacArthur', not 'McArthur' as alternate spelling could relate to different individuals.