There is a rich history associated with Scottish names and the history behind them. Like many European countries, the names given to individuals were a sense of pride and belonging. Names were created in a variety of ways and have had significant meanings throughout Scottish history.
In this guide, you will learn some of the history behind Scottish names and how they were created. You will also find a list of male and female names, along with their origin, meaning, and some fun facts about them. Whether you’re doing some research on your own family name or you’re looking for inspiration for your soon-to-be newborn, this is a great place to start!
History
Scotland has a long history filled with monarchs, noble families, and battles for independence. As a result of the different social classes and a need to identify people from one another, there is a robust system of names and surnames across the country. The various names are rooted not only in the traditional Scottish Gaelic dialect but also in English, Irish, and even French languages.
First names have been used since the beginning of settlement in Scotland, for obvious reasons. You need a name by which to refer to others in your village or town. However, as the population began to grow, Scottish people began to assign nicknames and other identifiers to their neighbors to distinguish one from the next.
Some examples of such nicknames are:
- Mary of the wood
- Richard from Sutton
- Donald, son of John
- Henry the butcher
Such names have come to be known as bynames. We will discuss more on bynames in the naming convention section of this article. For this section, we are focused on the various ways in which names were and continue to be formed in Scotland.
Norman Influence
First names and bynames were fairly common all across the country for centuries. However, last names were not used to any notable extent until they were introduced to England by the Normans in 1066. Once the English began using them, the practice quickly spread to other countries in Europe.
Although the Normans never invaded Scotland, their influence was widespread. Many Scottish families even changed their names to a more English spelling and style. In many cases, it was not sensible or fashionable to keep their traditional Gaelic or Celtic names.
On the other hand, a few pre-conquest names survived the entire Norman occupancy of England. Some of those names went on to be adopted by the Anglo-Saxons and eventually the English.
Clan Names and Clan Influence
Clans more than likely began to form around 1100 AD across the majority of the country. Some clans claimed to be the descendants of monarchs, and others claimed demigods as their ancestors. Regardless of how they originated, they became the primary class system in Scotland and remained so for centuries.
Clans were essentially a way for Scottish people to find safety in numbers during a tumultuous time in their country’s history. Being a member of a clan meant that you belonged to a larger community of people, all of whom worked together for the good of the whole. This often meant food, shelter, and other resources would be accessible.
The clans’ names were often associated with that of the clan chief or the original family from whom they descended. The clan members took on the name as their own, in place of their given or family name. They did not have to be kin to the clan chief to bear the name but rather had to pledge allegiance to the clan.
The End of Clan Names
In 1746, the Battle of Culloden all but brought an end to the clan system. King George III, then the king of both England and Ireland, led an attack against Scotland’s Jacobite rebellion. He ordered all supporters of the rebellion to be executed.
During this time, clan leaders and members thought twice about keeping their clan names. Instead, they reverted to their original family names or adopted new ones to avoid being accused of treason or resentment towards the crown. For many Scottish people, this was the only way to protect their families from the English throne’s wrath.
Discovering Your Family Name
If you have a Scottish name and you’re interested in learning more about it, there are a variety of ways to do so. Reading more about the history of various Scottish names might shed some light on where your family came from or what they did for a living. There are tons of online resources to help you discover your heritage and maybe find some inspiration for baby names if you’re planning to raise a family.
Here are some of our favorite sites for learning more:
Before you start searching online indexes for your name, you should be aware of a few discrepancies that might arise. Your family name was likely altered at some point in history. For this reason, you might find spellings and variations that you didn’t expect. Here are some of the reasons why this might’ve happened:
- Members of the family might’ve altered the surname upon emigrating from Scotland
- Members of the family might’ve anglicized the name upon arrival in Scotland
- Families with traditional Gaelic names might’ve anglicized them to fit in to the changing cultural climate
Depending on how far back you search, you might find the common first names used to refer to your family members. You might also find the clan names associated with your family, or at least the common clans who lived in the same region. Last but not least, you can learn about:
- Your last name
- Its origins
- What it represents
Scottish Last Names
Last names are commonly referred to as surnames. A surname is simply a name that is common to everyone in the family. Last names played an important role in the identity of Scottish people, as well as people all across Europe.
People in Scotland did not start using surnames until the Middle Ages. Scottish nobles and other wealthy families were the first to begin using surnames, but merchants and commoners quickly followed suit. It was used as a way of distinguishing people from one another.
During that time, only a handful of first names were used throughout many of the villages and towns in Scotland. Some of the most common were:
- Alexander
- Cameron
- Duncan
- Stuart
As you can imagine, if there are 100 people in your town and 30 of them are named Cameron, it can get a bit confusing! That’s why surnames came to be a regular part of the culture.
Types of Surnames in Scotland
There are several different styles of surnames in Scottish culture. The different types are categorized by how they were formed. Surnames were created in a variety of ways based on many different things.
Patronymic surnames are those that are based on the father’s name. It was a way of identifying that someone belonged in a particular family or to a particular father. They were typically created by using the name of the father or other paternal member of the family and adding a prefix or suffix.
For example, John Donaldson might be someone whose father’s name is Donald. Likewise, Peter Johnson probably has a father named John.
This naming convention is one of the most commonly used in Scotland. As previously mentioned, it was a simple way to identify members of the same family and to distinguish between those with the same first name. These names are often passed down for many generations, even after the paternal figure namesake has passed away.
Gaelic last names are similar to the patronymic names listed above, but they generally use the prefix Mc or Mac, both of which mean “son of” in Gaelic. They attach this prefix to the first name to create a surname for the entire family. The less traditional way to signify the Gaelic “son of” prefix is with an M’.
A fun fact about this naming convention is the feminine version that was popularized in the 16th and 17th centuries. While men normally had the Mc or Mac as a prefix, women had an Nc or N’ as a prefix to their name. This is the Gaelic way to signify the daughter of instead of the son of when using the patronymic naming system.
This is a popular naming convention in regions of the country that were or remain heavily influenced by the Gaelic language and traditions. For example, it was the primary naming convention for the Scottish Highlands. Conversely, less Gaelic areas tended to use the more general patronymic names.
Geographic surnames are based on the location where the name was created or where the family resides. Many of the earliest last names in Scotland were those of nobles and other wealthy landowners. The names were typically derived from the lands that were owned by the bearer of the name.
Some surnames in Scotland have English or French roots because they were brought to Scotland by Anglo-Normans. Scotland is known for enduring centuries of wars, invasions, attacks, and battles. Each time another country invaded the country, they were subjected to new traditions and different names. Over time, many traditional Scottish names began to take on English or French twists.
One interesting fact about a geographic or territorial name is that not all of these types of names were based on lands owned by the person bearing the name. In many cases, the tenants of the landowners took on the same name as the landowners themselves. In other words, it is possible for people from the same region to have the same last name and not be related by blood, as was the case in the clan system.
Topographic surnames are similar to geographic names but are less specific to the region. Instead, they are derived from vague characteristics of the region in which they were formed. They reference features of the land such as forests and streams, or even man-made landmarks.
A few examples of this type of name include:
- Wood
- Milne
- Shaw
The word Milne means mill. The use of this word in a name refers to someone who lives near a mill. The same is true for wood and Shaw. The word Shaw refers to a thicket or copse, and wood obviously refers to the woods or the forest.
Occupational surnames are derived from the type of work that the person or family does. Their specific trade or occupation was a very important indicator of their status in society, and it was important to distinguish them from one another. Over time, these names became a sort of family heirloom and were passed down for generations, even if the new generations did not participate in the same trade.
Some examples of such names are Smith, Mason, and Tailor. However, several occupational names were also less conspicuous, such as Webster (weaver) and Baxter (baker). Some of the words used in occupational names are Gaelic, while others have more Irish or English influence.
Bynames were once very popular in Scotland but have all but disappeared in modern times. This type of name is almost like a nickname added to the first name to distinguish someone from others who have the same first name.
These names were primarily used in fishing villages in Northern Scotland, where there were very few circulated names. Bynames used a variety of characteristics to identify their bearers. Some of the names that would be added to the person’s first name to create a byname are:
- The name of the person’s fishing boat
- Little
- White
- Meikle (meaning “big” in Gaelic)
They also used names that were not at all related to the person’s first name. Armstrong is a good example of this. It simply means the son of a strong man. It is not related to the person’s first name but could be used to identify them regardless.
Most Popular Scottish Family Names
With the huge variety in naming conventions and how names are formed, it’s hard to believe that there would be any consistency at all. However, there are still quite a few names in Scotland that are more popular than others. Here are some of the most common surnames in Scotland, and a bit of information about each one:
Smith
An occupational name that refers to someone who works with metal, such as a blacksmith. This name originated in England.
Brown
This name is a byname that is believed to be of French-Norman origin. It simply refers to the color brown, as in brown eyes or brown hair.
Thomson
Thomson is a traditional patronymic name and refers to the son of Tom. It is Welsh in origin.
Campbell
This Gaelic byname refers to someone who has a crooked mouth. It is popular in Scotland but can also be found across Ireland, most likely due to Scottish immigration in the 16th and 17th centuries.
Stewart
The word Stewart refers to a steward or keeper of the castle. This is an occupational name of Scottish origin.
Murray
Murray is a geographic name that refers to the Scottish town of Moray. It is also associated with Clan Murray, which was a clan in the Scottish Highlands.
MacDonald
This name uses the Gaelic style of patronymic naming. Mac is a prefix that is added to the first name Donald to signify the son of Donald. This is a traditional Gaelic name from Scottish origins.
Reid
The Scottish word Reid is a reference to the color red. It is a byname that is often used to describe red hair.
Mitchell
Mitchell is believed to have origins in both England and Scotland. It can also be both patronymic or a byname. In the patronymic convention, it refers to Michel or Michael. As a byname, it means big.
Scottish Female / Baby Girl Names
If you’re looking for inspiration for a baby girl’s name, here are some excellent choices. Each of these traditionally Scottish names has a history and a meaning in Scottish culture. Some may also have alternate spellings or be associated with English, French, Celtic, or Gaelic languages, as well.
Ailsa
Meaning: Supernatural Victory
Origin: Viking, Scottish
Alternate Spellings: None that are commonly noted
Interesting Fact: This name is pronounced Elsa. It is a reference to Ailsa Craig, a volcanic island in the Firth of Clyde.
Annabel
Meaning: Beautiful, graceful, loving
Origin: Scottish, Latin
Alternate Spelling: Annabelle
Interesting Fact: Early in Scottish history, this was considered a royal name. It is sometimes pronounced Arabelle by native Scots.
Ainsley
Meaning: One’s own meadow
Origin: Scottish
Alternate Spellings: Ansley
Blair
Meaning: Battlefield
Origin: Scottish, Celtic
Alternate Spellings: Blaire, Blare
Interesting Fact: This name is actually more common as a surname than a first name.
Bonnie
Meaning: Beautiful, charming, good, good-natured
Origin: Scottish
Alternate Spellings: Bonny, Bonny-Lee
Interesting Fact: This name more than likely comes from the French word bon, which means good.
Cameron
Meaning: Crooked Nose
Origin: Scottish
Alternate Spellings: Camryn, Cammie, Cammy
Interesting Fact: This is a common name for both boys and girls.
Famous Namesakes: Cameron Diaz, Cameron Crowe
Davina
Meaning: Small deer
Origin: Scottish, Hebrew
Alternate Spellings: None that are commonly noted
Interesting Fact: This is the feminine version of the name David.
Drew
Meaning: Brave
Origin: Scottish
Alternate Spellings: None that are commonly noted
Interesting Fact: This is the feminine version of the name Andrew. It is popular for both boys and girls.
Famous Namesakes: Drew Barrymore
Eileen
Meaning: From the green meadow
Origin: Scottish, Irish
Alternate Spellings: Aileen, Aileene
Elsbeth
Meaning: God is bountiful
Origin: Scottish, English
Alternate Spellings: Elizabeth, Lisabeth, Elsa
Fiona
Meaning: Fair and feminine
Origin: Gaelic, Scottish, Irish
Alternate Spellings: None that are commonly noted
Interesting Fact: This is the name of the princess in the hit movie series Shrek.
Famous Namesakes: Fiona Apple, Julia Fiona Roberts
Jaime
Meaning: May God protect
Origin: Scottish, Hebrew
Alternate Spellings: Jamie, Jami, Jaymie
Interesting Fact: This is the feminine version of the name James
Kenna
Meaning: Born of Fire
Origin: Scottish
Alternate Spellings: This is the feminine version of the name Kenneth.
Lainey
Meaning: Shining Light
Origin: Scottish, English, French
Alternate Spellings: Laney, Lainie
Lorna
Meaning: Honor and victory
Origin: Scottish, English
Alternate Spellings: Lorne, Loren
Interesting Fact: This name refers to the laurel tree, a nationally recognized symbol of honor and victory in Scotland.
Maisie
Meaning: Pearl
Origin: Scottish
Alternate Spellings: Mazie
McKenna
Meaning: Son of Kenneth (although in this case is a girl’s name)
Origin: Scottish
Alternate Spellings: Mackenna
Interesting Fact: The name McKenna is used in Scotland for both girls and boys.
Paisley
Meaning: Church
Origin: Scottish
Alternate Spellings: None that are commonly noted
Interesting Fact: The name Paisley is used to describe a specific textile pattern, which was originally produced in a town called Paisley, Scotland.
Skye
Meaning: Adventurous and bold
Origin: Scottish
Alternate Spellings: Sky
Interesting Fact: This name is a reference to the Isle of Skye, an island off the coast of Scotland.
Scottish Male / Baby Boy Names
If you’re looking for the perfect name for a baby boy, one of these Scottish names might be just the ticket! Each name is listed along with its origin, variations, and other interesting facts.
Alastair
Meaning: Defender, defending men
Origin: Scottish, Gaelic
Alternate Spellings: Alistaire, Alister, Alasdair
Interesting Fact: This name is a variation on the name Alexander
Blane
Meaning: Slender
Origin: Scottish, Celtic
Alternate Spellings: Blaine
Blake
Meaning: Dark-haired
Origin: Scottish, English
Alternate Spellings: None that are commonly noted
Famous Namesake: Blake Shelton
Brodric
Meaning: Brother
Origin: Scottish, Scandinavian
Alternate Spellings: Broderick, Brodie
Interesting Fact: This name could have been derived from the Gaelic word Brodie, meaning little ridge.
Camden
Meaning: From the winding valley
Origin: Scottish, English
Alternate Spellings: Cammie, Cam
Interesting Fact: Camden is a name that is used for both boys and girls.
Clyde
Meaning: River
Origin: Scottish
Alternate Spellings: None that are commonly noted
Interesting Fact: This name is a reference to the River Clyde, which runs through Glasgow, Scotland.
Craig
Meaning: Rock
Origin: Scottish, Irish, Welsh
Alternate Spellings: None that are commonly noted
Interesting Fact: This name is derived from the Gaelic words creag and crag, which mean rock. It is often used in the topographical naming convention.
Dallas
Meaning: Meadow
Origin: Scottish, English
Alternate Spellings: None that are commonly noted
Interesting Fact: Dallas is the name of a small city in Northeastern Scotland
Duncan
Meaning: Warrior, Dark warrior
Origin: Scottish, Gaelic, Celtic
Alternate Spellings: None that are commonly noted
Interesting Fact: King Duncan was the Scottish king who MacBeth killed in the famous Shakespeare play. The play was based on reality but was highly embellished.
Fraser
Meaning: Some believe the meaning to be of the forest men, but others believe it to be strawberries, after the French word fraise.
Origin: Scottish, French-Norman
Alternate Spellings: Frazier, Frasier
Interesting Fact: There was a clan in the Scottish Lowlands that was also named Fraser.
Gaven
Meaning: White hawk
Origin: Scottish
Alternate Spellings: Gavin, Gavyn, Gawain (English)
Famous Namesake: Gavin Rossdale
Kenneth
Meaning: Handsome, Born of fire
Origin: Scottish
Alternate Spellings: Ken, Kenny, Coinneach
Interesting Fact: Coinneach is the more Scottish spelling of this name, while Kenneth is the Anglicized variation. They are both pronounced the same way.
Keith
Meaning: Wood, forest, from the battleground
Origin: Scottish, Irish, Welsh
Alternate Spellings: None that are commonly noted
Interesting Fact: This was a very common surname before becoming popularized as a first name.
Malcolm
Meaning: A disciple of Saint Columb
Origin: Scottish, Gaelic
Alternate Spellings: Malc, Malky
Interesting Fact: Four of the Scottish Kings were named Malcolm, mostly during the 11th and 12th centuries.
Murdock
Meaning: Sea, protector of the sea
Origin: Scottish, Celtic
Alternate Spellings: Murdoch
Interesting Fact: Murdock is used as both a surname and a first name.
Neil
Meaning: Champion, cloud
Origin: Scottish, Gaelic
Alternate Spellings: Neal, Neill, Niall
Famous Namesakes: Neil Armstrong, Neil Young, Neil Diamond
Scott
Meaning: From Scotland, a wanderer
Origin: Scottish, English
Alternate Spellings: Scot, Scotty
Interesting Fact: Many Scottish people are called Scot as a nickname, regardless of their first or last name. It is a prevalent term of endearment for many Scots.
Stewart
Meaning: Castle guard, steward
Origin: Scottish, English
Alternate Spellings: Stuart, Stu
Interesting Fact: In the occupational naming convention, men named Stewart were often the castle guards. In medieval times, the steward’s job was to watch over the castle.
Read more: Baby Names
Conclusion
Hopefully, you’ve learned something new about Scottish names, their meanings, and their origins. Whether you’re learning more about your own heritage or are looking for a name for your newborn, there is plenty of information for you to digest. The names in Scotland and other European countries have a rich history that can teach you a lot about your ancestry and its origins.
We recommend spending some time learning more about the names that are specific to you and your family. There is almost always something new and interesting to discover about your family lineage. If you want to pass on a beautiful gift to your children, a strong Scottish name is a great place to start!