Mac a' mhaighstir History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Mac a' mhaighstir comes from the kingdom of Dalriada in ancient Scotland. It was a name for a person who worked as a cleric. The Middle Gaelic word magisder is borrowed from the Latin magister. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac a Mhaighstir, which means son of the Master. 1

Early Origins of the Mac a' mhaighstir family

The surname Mac a' mhaighstir was first found in Ardgour (Scottish Gaelic: Ard Ghobhar, meaning Height of the goats), where they were anciently derived from members of the Clan MacInnes, who changed their name.

"This surname is now found mainly in the shires of Dumfries and Wigtown, but was also the name of a sept in Ardgour traditionally said to have been dispossessed by Macleans in the fifteenth century." 1

Early History of the Mac a' mhaighstir family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Mac a' mhaighstir research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1433, 1498, 1582 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Mac a' mhaighstir History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Mac a' mhaighstir Spelling Variations

Historical recordings of the name Mac a' mhaighstir include many spelling variations. They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. They include MacMaster, McMaster, M'Master, Mac a' Mhaighstir (Gaelic) and many more.

Early Notables of the Mac a' mhaighstir family

More information is included under the topic Early Mac a' mhaighstir Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Migration of the Mac a' mhaighstir family to Ireland

Some of the Mac a' mhaighstir family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 88 words (6 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 Mac a' mhaighstir family

Many who arrived from Scotland settled along the east coast of North America in communities that would go on to become the backbones of the young nations of the United States and Canada. In the American War of Independence, many settlers who remained loyal to England went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Their descendants later began to recover the lost Scottish heritage through events such as the highland games that dot North America in the summer months. Research into various historical records revealed some of first members of the Mac a' mhaighstir family emigrate to North America: James McMaster, who sailed to Boston in 1766; Elizabeth MacMaster sailed to New York in 1774; Angus MacMaster migrated from Lochaber, Inverness to Inverness County, Nova Scotia in 1802.

The Mac a' mhaighstir 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: MacAonghais a-rithist
Motto Translation: Again MacInnes