MACBETH
Also recorded as Mac Beth, Macbeth
MacBeth
MacBeth is a Scottish surname of old Gaelic origin, derived from the personal name Macbethad. The name Macbethad itself comes from the Gaelic elements mac meaning "son of" and beatha meaning "life".
Historical Significance
MacBeth is most famously associated with Macbeth, the King of Scotland from 1040 to 1057. Despite his historical reputation as a tyrant and murderer largely due to Shakespeare's portrayal of him in the play Macbeth, the historical figure was considerably different. He was a competent and effective ruler, credited with bringing relative stability to his kingdom. His real-life actions and reign were more complex that the legendary depiction.
Distribution
The MacBeth surname is mostly found in Scotland, particularly in regions associated with the historical Macbeth such as Moray and Fife. Some individuals bearing the MacBeth surname can also be found in other parts of the UK and former British colonies.
Notable Individuals
Lachlan Macbeth (1732–1805) - A Scottish Clan Chief of Clan Macbeth.
Katherine Macbeth (1881–1954) - A renowned Scottish suffragette and social activist.
Trivia
- The MacBeth name has been used as a masculine given name due to its connection with Shakespeare's play.
- The popularity of the surname MacBeth has greatly increased due to its association with the play Macbeth rather than with its historical origins.
There are approximately 920 people named MacBeth in the UK. That makes it roughly the 7,865th most common surname in Britain. Around 14 in a million people in Britain are named MacBeth.
Surname type: From name of parent
Origin: Celtic
Region of origin: British Isles
Country of origin: Scotland
Religion of origin: Christian
Language of origin: Gaelic
Typical given names associated with the surname
Male
- Andrew
- Christopher
- David
- Donald
- Ian
- James
- John
- Paul
- Robert
- Simon
- William
Female
- Alison
- Ann
- Elizabeth
- Fiona
- Helen
- Jane
- Kate
- Laura
- Margaret
- Mary
- Patricia
- Sarah
- Sophie