From Blair to Mackintosh: 15 popular Scottish surnames and their meanings

By Rosalind Erskine
Published 29th Sep 2019, 08:45 GMT
Picture: ShutterstockPicture: Shutterstock
Picture: Shutterstock
The history of Scotland is, of course, the history of the Scottish people, and what could be more important as an indicator of how Scots are perceived than by the very names we are known.

Over the centuries millions of Scots have left their homeland to find fame and fortune around the globe, and they have taken their Scottish names with them, so giving the world McDonalds and Campbell’s Tomato Soup. Here we take a look at some of the most popular Scottish surnames and their meanings.

Derived from the Gaelic place name Blar for cleared level land or place of battlefield. Blair was first recorded as a surname in the 13th century in Renfrew and Ayrshire.Derived from the Gaelic place name Blar for cleared level land or place of battlefield. Blair was first recorded as a surname in the 13th century in Renfrew and Ayrshire.
Derived from the Gaelic place name Blar for cleared level land or place of battlefield. Blair was first recorded as a surname in the 13th century in Renfrew and Ayrshire.
Of Norman origin, deriving from the French word bois meaning wood and ville meaning town. The Borders place name St Boswell derives from the 7th century saint.Of Norman origin, deriving from the French word bois meaning wood and ville meaning town. The Borders place name St Boswell derives from the 7th century saint.
Of Norman origin, deriving from the French word bois meaning wood and ville meaning town. The Borders place name St Boswell derives from the 7th century saint.
From the Gaelic buidhe meaning yellow haired.From the Gaelic buidhe meaning yellow haired.
From the Gaelic buidhe meaning yellow haired.
Brown is the second most common surname in Scotland. English word meaning brown hair.Brown is the second most common surname in Scotland. English word meaning brown hair.
Brown is the second most common surname in Scotland. English word meaning brown hair.
The name Bruce comes from the Norman family Brus who came to Scotland and were given Annandale in the 12th century by David I. Believed to have originated from the Norman place of Brix meaning willowlands.The name Bruce comes from the Norman family Brus who came to Scotland and were given Annandale in the 12th century by David I. Believed to have originated from the Norman place of Brix meaning willowlands.
The name Bruce comes from the Norman family Brus who came to Scotland and were given Annandale in the 12th century by David I. Believed to have originated from the Norman place of Brix meaning willowlands.
The name is not exclusively Scottish and probably derives from the English word burn meaning stream. Surname of the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns.The name is not exclusively Scottish and probably derives from the English word burn meaning stream. Surname of the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns.
The name is not exclusively Scottish and probably derives from the English word burn meaning stream. Surname of the famous Scottish poet Robert Burns.
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