10 Rare Scottish Surnames and What They Mean
Just like every nation, the surnames that have their roots in Scotland are influenced by the history, culture and landscape of the country.
Over time, some surnames have become very rare for a variety of reasons.
In this blog, we’ll discuss the origins of Scottish names and highlight some of the rarest in modern times.
Scottish Naming Conventions
Whether you come from the Lowlands or Highlands, surnames are not just modifiers, they are badges of belonging, pride and allegiance. Scottish surnames carry geography, ancestry and clan traditions. They are also influenced by the language they are rooted in.
Many Scottish surnames reflect an ancestor's trade, a glen or a chieftain’s lineage. As a result, large numbers of Scottish families trace their ancestry through crests, artifacts and kilt patterns. Consequently, a Scottish surname highlights the culture it is rooted in.
The Linguistic Roots of Scottish Surnames
Early Scotland, or Alba, was made up of a number of tribes and languages. Groups like Scots of Dál Riata, Picts, Norse settlers and Anglo-Saxons left distinct imprints.
Language foundations that influenced Scottish surnames include:
- Gaelic: This lies at the heart of Scottish onomastics. These names emphasise descent through the father’s line using the prefix Mac or Mc, meaning “son of”. Over time, names began to fuse patronymic roots with descriptive elements, revealing personality and lineage.
- Norse: This influence was focused in the North and Isles of Scotland. They introduced Old Norse phonetics and vocabulary to local names. Where Norse rule persisted, traditions resulted in the most distinctive old Scottish last names found today. These settlers brought in the French tradition of territorial surnames, linking families to their estates or land.
- Anglo-Saxon and Lowlands: The proximity of the lowlands to England resulted in names that linguistically blended Gaelic and Anglo-Saxon naming conventions. Naming people for their occupation rather than clan became common. These names show the increasingly urban and mercantile character of the Lowlands, contrasting with the Highlands kin-based approach.
Ten of the Rarest Scottish Names
Unfortunately, not all surnames survive over the years. Here are some surnames found in Scotland’s medieval charters from the twelfth and thirteenth century that are very rare today.
Arbuthnott
This name comes from Arbuthnott in Kincardineshire. It first appeared in the royal charters of the 1100s.
Belthune
This name has a Norman-French origin, brought in by the knights that came with King David I. It is found among the population of Fife and Angus, blending Scottish loyalty with continental prestige.
Rattray
Rooted in Perthshire. It translates to “fortified place”, reflecting its origin from feudal lordship.
Ruthvrn
This means “red place” in Scottish Gaelic and ancient Irish. In later history, it was carried by noble families who had many dealing with royal families.
Hannay
This has roots in the southwest of Scotland. It may be the anglicised version of the Gaelic surname O’hAnnaidh or Norse meaning “rooster”. In Irish, the name means "descendant of Annadh”.
McNab
A Gaelic name that means “Son of the abbot”, showing the influence of monasteries and Christian communities on names.
MaxAskill
This name means “Son of the Vessel” in Gaelic.
MacInnes
Another Gaelic name influenced by Christianity meaning “Son of Angus”.
MacQuarrie
An anglicisation of the Gaelic Mac Guaire, which translates to "Son of Guaire".
MacCorquodale
A name with Norse-Gaelic roots meaning "Son of Torcadal" or "Son of Thorketill".
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