Show ContentsMacNaught History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the MacNaught family

The surname MacNaught was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area. The name is "a variant of Macnaught (of Kilquhanite, Galloway)" 1

Early History of the MacNaught family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacNaught research. Another 154 words (11 lines of text) covering the years 1296, 1357, 1400, 1448, 1473, 1519, 1606, 1612, 1617, 1634, 1646 and 1718 are included under the topic Early MacNaught History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacNaught Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacNaught, MacNeight, MacNutt, MacNitt, MacNaght and many more.

Early Notables of the MacNaught family

Notable amongst the family at this time was John McKnawcht, Burgess of Edinburgh in 1612. He may be the same person as John M'Nacht, merchant burgess in the parish of Kirkpatrick-Durham in...
Another 31 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early MacNaught Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Ireland Migration of the MacNaught family to Ireland

Some of the MacNaught family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 124 words (9 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the MacNaught family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: Alexander McNaught and his wife Mary and four children, who settled in New York in 1738; Alexander, Archibald, George, Henry, James, John, Samuel and William McNutt all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1860..


Contemporary Notables of the name MacNaught (post 1700) +

  • Kyle MacNaught, American editor and actor, known for his work on The Old Space (2012) and Cable Fast News (2013)
  • Lyndsey Fay Macnaught, Australian actress
  • Jane Macnaught (1959-2014), British two-time BAFTA Award nominated television producer, best known for her work on Coronation Street and Stars in their Eyes
  • John Watson MacNaught PC (1904-1984), Canadian politician from Coleman, Prince Edward Island, Member of the Canadian Parliament for Prince (1945-1957), Solicitor General of Canada (1963-1965), Minister of Mines and Technical Surveys (1965)


The MacNaught Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: Omnia fortunae committo
Motto Translation: I commit all things to fortune.


  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)


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