McNary History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland
England

The history of the McNary family begins among the Pictish clans ancient Scotland. The name McNary comes from the personal name John. The Gaelic form of their name was originally Mac-Iain-uidhir, which means son of dun John. However, the McNary family of Perth traditionally derive their name from M'an-oighre, which means son of the heir. Experts have also theorized that the surname McNary may be derived from Mac-an-fhuibir, which means son of the smith, or Mac-an-huidhir, which means son of the stranger.

Early Origins of the McNary family

The surname McNary was first found in Perth, 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.

Further to the south in England, the Menaire, Menear, Manhire and other variants claim descent from Walter Maenhir who was listed in Devon in 1293. The very rare variant Manhire traces back to Ellis Menheire who was listed in Devon in 1642. 1

Early History of the McNary family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McNary research. Another 100 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1392, 1526, 1546, 1776 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McNary History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McNary Spelling Variations

In the Middle ages, spelling and translation were not yet regulated by any general rules. spelling variations in names were common even among members of one family unit. McNary has appeared MacNair, MacNaire, MacNayer, MacNeir, MacNuir, Menair and many more.

Early Notables of the McNary family

Another 28 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McNary Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McNary Ranking

In the United States, the name McNary is the 9,103^rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2

Migration of the McNary family to Ireland

Some of the McNary family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 57 words (4 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McNary migration to the United States +

Faced by this persecution and the generally unstable political climate of those days, many Scots chose to leave their homeland for Ireland, Australia, and North America in search of greater opportunity and freedom. The colonies across the Atlantic were the most popular choice, but a passage there was neither cheap nor easily suffered. Passengers arrived sick and poor, but those who made it intact often found land and more tolerant societies in which to live. These brave settlers formed the backbone of the burgeoning nations of Canada and the United States. It is only this century that the ancestors of these families have begun to recover their collective identity through the patriotic highland games and Clan societies that have sprung up throughout North America. Research into early immigration and passenger lists revealed many immigrants bearing the name McNary:

McNary Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Alexander McNary, who landed in South Carolina in 1772 3
Gilbert McNary, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1772 3
John McNary, who landed in South Carolina in 1772 3

McNary Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Patrick McNary, aged 35, who arrived in South Carolina in 1812 3
Mrs. James McNary, aged 58, who landed in America, in 1893
Mrs. Julia McNary, aged 56, who immigrated to America, in 1893

McNary Settlers in United States in the 20th Century

Henry K. McNary, who immigrated to the United States, in 1904
James Martin Beach McNary, aged 77, who settled in America, in 1904
Carrie McNary, aged 38, who landed in America, in 1913
George McNary, aged 38, who landed in America, in 1913
John McNary, aged 20, who immigrated to the United States from Nerry, Ireland, in 1914
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McNary (post 1700) +

William S. McNary (1863-1930), American politician, U.S. Representative from Massachusetts (1903-1907)
Cole McNary (b. 1964), American high school teacher and a Republican member of the Missouri House of Representatives
John Hugh McNary (1867-1936), American attorney and jurist in the state of Oregon
Gene McNary (b. 1935), American politician
Charles L. McNary (1874-1944), American politician, U.S. Republican senator for Oregon
James McNary, American Republican politician, Delegate to Republican National Convention from Arizona, 1944
Gene McNary, American Republican politician, Candidate for U.S. Senator from Missouri, 1980
Cole McNary, American Republican politician, Candidate for Missouri State Treasurer, 2012
Charles Linza McNary (1874-1944), American Republican politician, Law school dean; Justice of Oregon State Supreme Court, 1913-14;Oregon Republican State Chair, 1916-17; U.S. Senator from Oregon, 1917-18, 1918-44
Carolyn McNary, American Democratic Party politician, Chair of St. Joseph County Democratic Party, 2007
... (Another 4 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Citations +

Reaney, P.H and R.M. Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames. London: Routledge, 1991. Print. (ISBN 0-415-05737-X)
"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)