MACPHERSON

MacPherson

MacPherson is a Scottish surname of Gaelic origin, derived from the personal name 'Phearson', meaning 'son of the parson'. The MacPherson clan is an ancient Highland Scottish clan from Badenoch in Inverness. The clan's motto is "Touch not the cat bot a glove" which translates to "Don't touch the cat without a glove".

The MacPherson clan is known for its strong ties to the Scottish Highlands and its involvement in various historical events. The clan played a significant role in the Jacobite uprisings of the 18th century, particularly the 1745 Jacobite Rising led by Charles Edward Stuart, also known as Bonnie Prince Charlie.

Notable individuals with the MacPherson surname include the renowned Scottish poet James MacPherson, known for his collection of Ossianic poetry. The controversial debate surrounding the authenticity of Ossian's works has intrigued scholars for centuries.

Today, the MacPherson surname is found among people of Scottish descent, both in Scotland and across the world, particularly in countries such as Canada, the United States, and Australia, where Scottish immigrants settled.

The MacPherson surname continues to be a symbol of Scottish heritage, tradition, and resilience, representing a long and storied history of the Scottish Highlands.

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

• Alan
• Alexander
• Andrew
• David
• Donald
• Iain
• Ian
• James
• John
• Robert

Female

• Alison
• Anne
• Catherine
• Elizabeth
• Fiona
• Helen
• Jane
• Jean
• Karen
• Margaret
• Mary
• Sarah
• Susan

Similar and related surnames

Related and similar names are generated algorithmically based on the spelling, and may not necessarily share an etymology.