• Origins Available:
• Ireland
• Scotland

Macnaughton is an ancient Pictish-Scottish name. It is derived from the Pictish name Nechtan. The Gaelic form of the name is Mac Neachdainn, which means son of Nechtan.

Early Origins of the Macnaughton family

The surname Macnaughton was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, where they held lands at Lochow and Loch Fyne, called Glenera, Glenshira, and Glen Fyne.

Important Dates for the Macnaughton family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Macnaughton research. Another 193 words (14 lines of text) covering the years 1247, 1431, 1438, 1565, 1614, 1627, and 1691 are included under the topic Early Macnaughton History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Macnaughton Spelling Variations

Translation has done much to alter the appearance of many Scottish names. It was a haphazard process that lacked a basic system of rules. Spelling variations were a common result of this process. Macnaughton has appeared MacNaughton, McNachton, MacNaghten, MacNechten, Notton, Norton and many more.

Early Notables of the Macnaughton family (pre 1700)

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

Migration of the Macnaughton family to Ireland

Some of the Macnaughton family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt. More information about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Macnaughton migration to Canada

Many Scots left their country to travel to the North American colonies in search of the freedom they could not find at home. Of those who survived the difficult voyage, many found the freedom they so desired. There they could choose their own beliefs and allegiances. Some became United Empire Loyalists and others fought in the American War of Independence. The Clan societies and highland games that have sprung up in the last century have allowed many of these disparate Scots to recover their collective national identity. A search of immigration and passenger ship lists revealed many early settlers bearing the Macnaughton name:

Macnaughton Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

• Mary MacNaughton, who settled in Montreal in 1825
• Donald MacNaughton, who settled in Montreal in 1825
• Peter Macnaughton, who settled in Quebec sometime between 1810 and 1850
• James Macnaughton, who settled in Ontario in 1871

Macnaughton Settlers in Canada in the 20th Century

• W R B MacNaughton, who arrived in Saint John, New Brunswick in 1907

Macnaughton migration to New Zealand

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Macnaughton Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

• Ewen MacNaughton, aged 28, a labourer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
• Janet MacNaughton, aged 25, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840
• Angus MacNaughton, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Blenheim" in 1840

Contemporary Notables of the name Macnaughton (post 1700)

• Robert MacNaughton (b. 1966), American Young Artist Award winning child actor, best known for his role as Elliott's brother Michael in E.T. the Extra-Terrestrial (1982)
• Euan Macnaughton, Scottish actor, known for his work on Welcome II the Terrordome (1995), Family Affairs (1997) and L is for Lala (2011)
• Ian MacNaughton (1925-2002), Scottish Primetime Emmy Award nominated director, known for his work in Monty Python's Flying Circus (1969), And Now for Something Completely Different (1971) and Monty Python Live at the Hollywood Bowl (1982)
• John Alan MacNaughton CM (1945-2013), Canadian investment banker, Chairman of the Business Development Bank of Canada and was the founding President and CEO of the Canada Pension Plan Investment Board (1999-2005)
• Alan Aylesworth Macnaughton (1903-1999), Canadian parliamentarian, Speaker of the Canadian House of Commons from 1963 to 1966
• Alan MacNaughton (1920-2002), British television actor
• Michele MacNaughton (b. 1973), retired female field hockey player from South Africa
• John MacNaughton Sidey, Chief Executive of the P and O Steamship Line

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