Hereditary Scottish surnames developed after the 15th century. Prior to that, patronymics weren't permanent and changed with each succeeding generation, so, Alexander Donaldson, recorded in 1481, is listed as the son of Donald Symonson*. The practice of using the same name down the generations started in the Lowlands and was furthered when it was adapted by the clan system. It was common for a Laird to take his surname from the estate (which itself was often named after the owner). People looking for protection in times of strife would frequently attach themselves to a powerful clan and take on its name. This resulted in large numbers of people who all had the same last name, but no specific surname of their own, and not necessarily with a hereditary link to the family of the clan.
Much like the Welsh map, the Gaelic term for "son" was mac, and was prefixed to many first names. Some Scottish patronymic surnames also adopted the Anglican "son" suffix.
Through the generations various spellings have formed. We find Mackenzie also as MacKenzie, Mckenzie, Makenzie and many more. For continuity, the list below contain lower case letters within the names and the 'Mac' rather than 'Mc' spellings.
| Anderson Davidson Donaldson Eason Farquharson Ferguson Finlayson Grierson Henderson Howison Macaddie Macalister Macallen |
Macalpine Macandrew Macarthur Macartney Macaskill Macauley Macauslan Macbain Maccaffray Maccallum Maccall Maccarthy Maccloy |
Maccomish Macconnall Maccormac Maccorkindale Maccoubrey Maccrindell Maccutchen Macdermot Macdonald Macdonell Macdougal Macdowell Macduff |
Macewan Macilroy Macfadden Macfadyen Macfarlane Macfee Macgee Macgaurie Macgillivray Macgowan Macgregor MacHendry Macinnes
|
Maciver Mackay Mackeller Mackenna Mackenzie Mackeown Mackinnon Maclachlan Maclamon Maclaren Maclean Maclaine Maclennan |
Macleod Macnaughton Macneill Macnicol Macpherson Macquarrie Macqueen Macrae Mactavish Manson Matthison Morrison Patterson |
