MacAra History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The west coast of Scotland and the rocky Hebrides islands are the ancient home of the MacAra family. The root of their name is the name Macara, which is the Gaelic word for son of the young, manly one.

Early Origins of the MacAra family

The surname MacAra was first found in Perthshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Pheairt) former county in the present day Council Area of Perth and Kinross, located in central Scotland, where they held a family seat from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

Early History of the MacAra family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacAra research. Another 78 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1690, 1745, 1815 and 1890 are included under the topic Early MacAra History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacAra Spelling Variations

Spelling and translation were not standardized practices until the last few centuries. Spelling variations are extremely common among early Scottish names. MacAra has been spelled McAree, MacAree, McAra, MacAra, McArra, MacArra, McCarra, MacCarra, McCarry, MacCarry, McCarrie and many more.

Early Notables of the MacAra family

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

Migration of the MacAra family to Ireland

Some of the MacAra family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 106 words (8 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 MacAra family

Numerous Scottish settlers settled along the east coast of the colonies that would become the United States and Canada. Others traveled to the open country of the west. At the time of the American War of Independence, some remained in the United States, while those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The highland games and Clan societies that sprang up across North America in the 20th century have helped many Scots to recover parts of their lost traditions. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first MacAras to arrive in North America: three people by the name of John McAree who arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1855; 1861 and 1869; Owen arrived in 1870. James and John MacCarry settled in New England in 1805..