Show ContentsMacKerras History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Early Origins of the MacKerras family

The surname MacKerras was first found in Kirkcudbright, where they held a family seat on the English/Scottish border. After the Norman Conquest of England many of Duke William's rebellious Barons moved north. The border became a convenient but turbulent no-man's land where the persecuted Many were given land by King Malcolm Canmore and later by King David of Scotland. Some were native Scots. In the 16th century they became known as the 'unruly clans'. The name was first recorded in Scotland in 1485 when John Makcorwis was a witness at Mayboill in Ayrshire.

Early History of the MacKerras family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacKerras research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1678 and 1713 are included under the topic Early MacKerras History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacKerras Spelling Variations

Spelling variations of this family name include: MacCorvie, MacKervaie, MacKorvie, MacCorwis, MacKorwis, MacKerras, MacCorvey, MacKervey, MacKorvey, MacCerras and many more.

Early Notables of the MacKerras family

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

Migration of the MacKerras family

Some of the first settlers of this family name or some of its variants were: the name represented in many forms and recorded from the mid 17th century in the great migration from Europe. Migrants settled in the eastern seaboard from Newfoundland, to Maine, to Virginia, the Carolinas, and to the islands..


Contemporary Notables of the name MacKerras (post 1700) +

  • Malcolm Mackerras AO (b. 1939), Australian psephologist, commentator and lecturer on Australian and American politics
  • Neil Richard Maclaurin Mackerras (1930-1987), Australian barrister and social campaigner, born at Vaucluse
  • Mabel Josephine Mackerras (1896-1971), née Bancroft, an Australian zoologist who was awarded the Clarke Medal in 1965
  • Ian Murray Mackerras (1898-1980), Australian zoologist, born in Balclutha, New Zealand
  • Colin Mackerras AO (b. 1939), Australian sinologist, Emeritus Professor at Griffith University, and specialist in Chinese culture
  • Sir Alan Charles MacLaurin Mackerras AC, CH, CBE (1925-2010), Australian conductor, first Australian chief conductor of the Sydney Symphony Orchestra
  • James MacKerras Macdonnell PC CC (1884-1973), Canadian lawyer and parliamentarian, Member of the Canadian Parliament for Muskoka, Ontario (1945-1949)


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