Surname McNaughton - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McNaughton: What does the surname McNaughton mean?
The surname McNaughton is of Scottish origin and derives from the Gaelic personal name "Neachdainn," which meant "pure" or "clean." The prefix "Mc" is a popular component of many Scottish and Irish surnames, meaning "son of". Therefore, McNaughton translates to "Son of Neachdainn" or "Son of the Pure/Clean." The name is primarily associated with the Scottish Highlands and is particularly prevalent in areas such as Argyll and the Isle of Skye. It is common to see variations in the spelling of the name, including MacNaughton, McNachton, and others, all carrying the same meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisMcNaughton: Where does the name McNaughton come from?
The last name McNaughton is of Scottish origin. The name is derived from the Gaelic word "MacNeachdainn," which means "son of Neachdainn" or "son of Nechtan." It's a patronymic surname that belongs to the category of hereditary surnames. The McNaughton family lived in Argyll, where the family's ancestors were frequently named Nechtan in honor of an Argyll chieftain of the same name. This area would later on become a part of the Scottish Kingdom of Dalriada.
Today, the surname is most common in countries that have seen significant Scottish immigration over the centuries. This includes the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand among others. Within the United Kingdom, it remains comparatively common in Scotland, particularly around the region of Argyll and Bute. The spellings of the name can occasionally vary, with examples including MacNaughton and McNaughten. The variations in the spelling of Scottish names are due to the translation of Gaelic names into English, as well as the spelling rules of the Gaelic language.
Variations of the surname McNaughton
The surname McNaughton is of Scottish origin and derives from two Gaelic words which mean "son" (Mac) and "pure" (Naughton). Variations of this surname include MacNaughton, MacNaghten, Naughten, McNaught, Macnaghten, McNachtan, and McNachton. Sometimes, misinterpretations or misspellings have resulted in different surnames such as MacNachtan, McNaghten, or Naughton.
In some cases, prefixes have been omitted over time or due to regional accents or interpretations, resulting in surname variations such as Naughton or even Norton. Surnames could also vary based on regional dialects, literacy levels, and immigration records, which can lead to further variants of the surname. Furthermore, some families may have simplified or changed their name upon emigrating to other countries.
In terms of surnames of the same origin, other Scottish surnames that also begin with "Mc" or "Mac" (meaning "son of") could be considered similarly, for example, McDonald or MacIntyre. However, these are not direct variants but rather other surnames that share the same Scottish Gaelic origin.
Famous people with the name McNaughton
- Kenneth (Ken) McNaughton: a Scottish short story writer and playwright
- William McNaughton: an English mathematician
- Ernest McNaughton: a Canadian road bicycle racer
- Ken McNaughton: an American football coach
- Patrick McNaughton: the Australian Chief of the Royal Australasian Navy
- William McNaughton: a British professional wrestler
- Peter McNaughton: a former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Bill McNaughton: a former college football coach
- John McNaughton: an American director, writer, and producer
- David McNaughton: a British actor who starred in television shows, films, and theatrical productions