MacDonald Surname Meaning & Origin
What the MacDonald last name means, where the surname began and how it spread.
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Meaning and origin of the MacDonald last name
Meaning of the MacDonald last name: son of Domhnall (world ruler). MacDonald is a Scottish surname from Gaelic Mac Dhòmhnaill, "son of Domhnall", a name meaning "world ruler". The Lords of the Isles, descended from Somerled, headed Clan Donald across the Hebrides and western mainland. It is among the most widespread Scottish last names in the world.
Arms associated with the MacDonald name
In Scottish heraldry, coats of arms associated with the MacDonald name are personal, each with its own blazon.
Get your full MacDonald family history
This is only a glimpse of the MacDonald story. The full MacDonald history report goes much deeper into where the name began, who carried it and how the family spread, and it comes with a museum-style painted MacDonald coat of arms. Get the full MacDonald report.
MacDonald name FAQ
What does the MacDonald name mean?
Son of Domhnall (world ruler). Common variants include McDonald, Macdonald.
Where does the MacDonald surname come from?
It originates in Scotland, and is also found in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Is there a MacDonald coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals rather than to everyone with a surname. Herald Lab paints a personalized MacDonald coat of arms in museum style, based on historic heraldry.
Sources: George F. Black, The Surnames of Scotland (New York Public Library, 1946); Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford).