MacEntee History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland
Scotland

The MacEntee family comes from the ancient Scottish Dalriadan clans of the mountainous west coast of Scotland. The name MacEntee is derived from the Gaelic form Mac-an-Tsaoir, which denotes son of the carpenter or wright.

Early Origins of the MacEntee family

The surname MacEntee was first found in on the Isle of Iona, where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the MacEntee family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacEntee research. Another 64 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1372, 1564 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacEntee History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacEntee Spelling Variations

Spelling variations were extremely common in medieval names, since scribes from that era recorded names according to sound rather than a standard set of rules. MacEntee has appeared in various documents spelled MacAteer, MacTear, MacTeir, MacTire, MacAtee, MacAtter, MacAttur and many more.

Early Notables of the MacEntee family

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

Migration of the MacEntee family to Ireland

Some of the MacEntee family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 80 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacEntee migration to the United States +

Dalriadan families proliferated in North America. Their descendants still populate many communities in the eastern parts of both the United States and Canada. Some settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists, in the wake of the American War of Independence. Families on both sides of the border have recovered much of their heritage in the 20th century through Clan societies and highland games. Analysis of immigration records indicates that some of the first North American immigrants bore the name MacEntee or a variant listed above:

MacEntee Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Mr. Macentee, aged 16, who immigrated to the United States in 1893

Contemporary Notables of the name MacEntee (post 1700) +

Sean MacEntee (1899-1984), Irish politician and poet, and his daughter Maire Mac an tSaoi, a barrister and poet

The MacEntee 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: Per ardua
Motto Translation: Through difficulties.