Mapped: the geographical origins of Scotland's most common surnames

Scotland has a long and eventful history stretching back centuries. Yet Scottish surnames are far more recent. Until the 12th century, most Scots did not have surnames. It was only with King David I’s decision to give large amounts of Scottish land to Norman nobles that the Norman tradition of surnames came into fashion.

Choosing a surname was somewhat haphazard in Scotland. You could be the son of somebody (Robertson, Johnston) or adopt the Gaelic variation of ‘Mac’ rather than ‘son’ (MacDonald, MacLeod, MacKenzie).

You might also take the surname from the nobles who owned the land you worked on, or from the dominant chieftain in your area.

Some chose to be named after their occupation (Shearer, Smith, Taylor) or perhaps after a colour (Brown, Black, Gray). For example Reid, the Scots word for ‘red’, is a common Scottish surname which is indicative of Scotland having a higher-than-normal percentage of redheads.

Stewart, one of Scotlands most popular surnames, comes from the Highland fault line, just north of Stirling.

In the Highlands and Borders of Scotland, the clan system established dominant families with tartans, mottoes, gatherings and weddings, giving centuries of business to grateful kilt makers.

Finally, Scotland has a long tradition of place names becoming first names or surnames (Murray, Angus Hamilton). These are 20 of the most common Scottish surnames and whereabouts in the country they come from.

If your last name is Roberston, somewhere down the line your ancestors were likely connected to the Roberston clan from around Perthshire and Tayside.

Campell, an enduringly common Scottish surname comes from the southern Highlands.

Also a common Irish last name, those of Murray stock can trace their origins back to the Highland fault, north of the geographical origins of Stewart.

Undoubtedly most famous as the name of the fast food chains clown, Ronalds ancestors may have come from several places, including the Western Isle of Uist.

Doubling as a popular English and Scottish first name, Scott originates from the Scottish borders.

Similarly a popular first name, the Ross surname originates from the Ross and Cromarty area in the northern Highlands.