Mcdonald Surname

The History of the McDonald Surname

The surname McDonald is of Scottish and Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic name 'Mac Dhomhnaill', meaning 'son of Domhnall'. Domhnall is a Gaelic personal name that means 'ruler of the world'. The McDonald surname is one of the most common surnames in Scotland and Ireland, and has spread to various parts of the world due to emigration.

Origins in Scotland

In Scotland, the McDonald clan is one of the oldest and most powerful in the country. The clan has a long and storied history, with ties to various regions such as the Highlands and the Isles. The clan's roots can be traced back to the 12th century, and they played a significant role in Scottish history, including the Wars of Scottish Independence.

Many famous figures have borne the McDonald surname in Scotland, including the legendary warrior and hero, Rob Roy McDonald. Rob Roy was a notorious outlaw and folk hero who fought against the oppression of the Scottish people by the English crown. His exploits have been immortalized in literature and folklore.

Spread to Ireland

The McDonald surname also has a strong presence in Ireland, where it is often spelled 'MacDonald'. The McDonalds in Ireland are descended from Scottish immigrants who settled in the country over the centuries. The surname is particularly common in Northern Ireland and Ulster, where many Scottish clans migrated during the Plantation of Ulster in the 17th century.

One notable Irish figure with the McDonald surname is John A. MacDonald, who was the first Prime Minister of Canada. MacDonald was born in Scotland but emigrated to Canada and became a key figure in the country's history. He is often referred to as the 'Father of Confederation' for his role in the formation of the Dominion of Canada in 1867.

Global Distribution

The McDonald surname has a strong presence in many other countries around the world, due to the migration of Scottish and Irish immigrants. The United States has the highest incidence of the surname, with over 200,000 individuals bearing the McDonald name. Canada, Australia, and England also have significant populations of McDonalds.

Outside of the English-speaking world, the McDonald surname can be found in countries such as Jamaica, South Africa, and New Zealand. The surname has been adapted to various local languages and cultures, but its Gaelic roots remain strong.

Notable McDonalds

Throughout history, many individuals with the McDonald surname have achieved fame and success in various fields. From politics to sports, entertainment to business, McDonalds have made their mark on the world stage.

One such figure is Michael McDonald, an American singer and songwriter known for his soulful voice and hits such as 'I Keep Forgettin' and 'Yah Mo B There'. McDonald rose to fame as a member of the Doobie Brothers and later embarked on a successful solo career.

In the world of sports, Conor McDonald is a professional hurler from Ireland who has represented his country at the highest levels. McDonald hails from Wexford and plays for the county team, as well as his local club. He is known for his skill and dedication to the sport.

Conclusion

The McDonald surname has a rich and diverse history that spans centuries and continents. From its origins in Scotland and Ireland to its global spread, the McDonald name has left an indelible mark on society. Whether in politics, music, sports, or other fields, McDonalds continue to make a lasting impact on the world.

The surname Mcdonald into the globe

Globalization has meant that surnames distribute far beyond their country of origin, so that it is possible to locate African surnames in Europe or Indian surnames in Oceania. Equivalent happens in the case of Mcdonald, which as you're able to corroborate, it can be said it is a surname that can be found in all the countries of the globe. Just as there are nations in which undoubtedly the thickness of people because of the surname Mcdonald is more than in other countries.

The map of this Mcdonald surname

View Mcdonald surname map

The likelihood of examining on a globe map about which nations hold a greater number of Mcdonald in the world, helps us plenty. By putting ourselves on the map, for a tangible country, we can begin to see the tangible number of individuals using the surname Mcdonald, to acquire in this manner the complete information of all Mcdonald that one may presently find in that country. All this also assists us to understand not only in which the surname Mcdonald originates from, but also in what way the individuals who're initially the main family that bears the surname Mcdonald have moved and moved. In the same manner, you can see by which places they've settled and grown up, which explains why if Mcdonald is our surname, it seems interesting to which other nations associated with the globe it's possible that certain of our ancestors once moved to.

Nations with additional Mcdonald worldwide

  1. United States United States (202057)
  2. Canada Canada (37706)
  3. Australia Australia (24740)
  4. England England (24397)
  5. Scotland Scotland (15287)
  6. Jamaica Jamaica (9238)
  7. South Africa South Africa (8814)
  8. Ireland Ireland (6436)
  9. New Zealand New Zealand (4191)
  10. Nothern Ireland Nothern Ireland (3533)
  11. Malawi Malawi (1540)
  12. Vietnam Vietnam (1464)
  13. Guyana Guyana (1099)
  14. Bahamas Bahamas (1027)
  15. Wales Wales (1022)
  16. Trinidad and Tobago Trinidad and Tobago (885)
  17. Ghana Ghana (855)
  18. Saudi Arabia Saudi Arabia (434)
  19. France France (407)
  20. Panama Panama (373)
  21. Nigeria Nigeria (365)
  22. Grenada Grenada (353)
  23. Kenya Kenya (295)
  24. Nicaragua Nicaragua (257)
  25. Costa Rica Costa Rica (223)
  26. Spain Spain (219)
  27. Saint Vincent and the Grenadines Saint Vincent and the Grenadines (182)
  28. Germany Germany (175)
  29. Dominican Republic Dominican Republic (169)
  30. Vanuatu Vanuatu (158)
  31. Singapore Singapore (149)
  32. Netherlands Netherlands (138)
  33. Qatar Qatar (137)
  34. Mexico Mexico (136)
  35. Fiji Fiji (126)
  36. Barbados Barbados (114)
  37. Isle of Man Isle of Man (112)
  38. Belize Belize (106)
  39. Zimbabwe Zimbabwe (105)
  40. Japan Japan (104)
  41. Philippines Philippines (104)
  42. Saint Lucia Saint Lucia (100)
  43. Guam Guam (91)
  44. Guatemala Guatemala (81)
  45. Antigua and Barbuda Antigua and Barbuda (70)
  46. Sweden Sweden (68)
  47. Jersey Jersey (68)
  48. Cayman Islands Cayman Islands (62)
  49. Kuwait Kuwait (56)
  50. Botswana Botswana (50)
  51. Switzerland Switzerland (49)
  52. Thailand Thailand (47)
  53. Argentina Argentina (46)
  54. Colombia Colombia (45)
  55. India India (43)
  56. Venezuela Venezuela (43)
  57. Belgium Belgium (41)
  58. U.S. Virgin Islands U.S. Virgin Islands (40)
  59. Portugal Portugal (38)
  60. Brazil Brazil (37)
  61. Norway Norway (36)
  62. China China (34)
  63. Hong Kong Hong Kong (34)
  64. Chile Chile (33)
  65. Cyprus Cyprus (33)
  66. Guernsey Guernsey (29)
  67. United Arab Emirates United Arab Emirates (26)
  68. Italy Italy (25)
  69. Denmark Denmark (24)
  70. Suriname Suriname (21)
  71. Saint Kitts and Nevis Saint Kitts and Nevis (21)
  72. Ecuador Ecuador (19)
  73. Pakistan Pakistan (19)
  74. Indonesia Indonesia (18)
  75. Austria Austria (17)
  76. Greece Greece (17)
  77. Liberia Liberia (17)
  78. Iraq Iraq (16)
  79. Cuba Cuba (15)
  80. Hungary Hungary (15)
  81. Peru Peru (15)
  82. Honduras Honduras (14)
  83. Iceland Iceland (14)
  84. Czech Republic Czech Republic (13)
  85. South Korea South Korea (13)
  86. Oman Oman (12)
  87. Papua New Guinea Papua New Guinea (12)
  88. Namibia Namibia (10)
  89. Solomon Islands Solomon Islands (10)
  90. Angola Angola (9)
  91. Iran Iran (8)
  92. Finland Finland (7)
  93. Gibraltar Gibraltar (6)
  94. Monaco Monaco (5)
  95. Tanzania Tanzania (5)
  96. Bermuda Bermuda (5)
  97. Cook Islands Cook Islands (5)
  98. Montserrat Montserrat (4)
  99. Malta Malta (4)
  100. Afghanistan Afghanistan (4)
  101. Malaysia Malaysia (4)
  102. Israel Israel (4)
  103. Taiwan Taiwan (4)
  104. Uganda Uganda (4)
  105. Ethiopia Ethiopia (4)
  106. Bangladesh Bangladesh (4)
  107. Bahrain Bahrain (4)
  108. Brunei Brunei (4)
  109. Poland Poland (4)
  110. Laos Laos (4)
  111. Lebanon Lebanon (4)
  112. Sri Lanka Sri Lanka (4)
  113. Cape Verde Cape Verde (3)
  114. Turkey Turkey (3)
  115. Georgia Georgia (3)
  116. Zambia Zambia (3)
  117. El Salvador El Salvador (2)
  118. Albania Albania (2)
  119. Azerbaijan Azerbaijan (2)
  120. Jordan Jordan (2)
  121. Bulgaria Bulgaria (2)
  122. Puerto Rico Puerto Rico (2)
  123. Kazakhstan Kazakhstan (2)
  124. Luxembourg Luxembourg (1)
  125. Sudan Sudan (1)
  126. Slovakia Slovakia (1)
  127. Haiti Haiti (1)
  128. Mauritius Mauritius (1)
  129. Syria Syria (1)
  130. Anguilla Anguilla (1)
  131. Mozambique Mozambique (1)
  132. Turkmenistan Turkmenistan (1)
  133. Tonga Tonga (1)
  134. Dominica Dominica (1)
  135. Egypt Egypt (1)
  136. Nauru Nauru (1)
  137. Uruguay Uruguay (1)
  138. Gabon Gabon (1)
  139. British Virgin Islands British Virgin Islands (1)
  140. Kyrgyzstan Kyrgyzstan (1)
  141. Cambodia Cambodia (1)
  142. Bolivia Bolivia (1)
  143. Yemen Yemen (1)
  144. Palestinian Territory Palestinian Territory (1)
  145. Romania Romania (1)
  146. Democratic Republic of the Congo Democratic Republic of the Congo (1)
  147. Serbia Serbia (1)
  148. Republic of the Congo Republic of the Congo (1)
  149. Rwanda Rwanda (1)
  150. Lithuania Lithuania (1)