MacAteer History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

Etymology of MacAteer

What does the name MacAteer mean?

The Clan from whom the MacAteer family descends began among the ancient Dalriadan kingdom of the west coast of Scotland. Their name comes from the Gaelic form Mac-an-Tsaoir, which denotes son of the carpenter or wright.

Early Origins of the MacAteer family

The surname MacAteer 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 MacAteer family

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

MacAteer Spelling Variations

Historical recordings of the name MacAteer include many spelling variations. They are the result of repeated translations of the name from Gaelic to English and inconsistencies in spelling rules. They include MacAteer, MacTear, MacTeir, MacTire, MacAtee, MacAtter, MacAttur and many more.

Early Notables of the MacAteer family

Gilbert MacAteer, Chief of the Clan on the island of Bute in 1564

Migration of the MacAteer family to Ireland

Some of the MacAteer 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.

MacAteer migration to the United States +

Significant portions of the populations of both the United States and Canada are still made up of the ancestors of Dalriadan families. Some of those in Canada originally settled the United States, but went north as United Empire Loyalists in the American War of Independence. The late 19th and early 20th centuries saw the ancestors of many Scots on both sides of the border begin to recover their collective national heritage through Clan societies and highland games. Some of the first North American settlers carried this name or one of its variants:

MacAteer Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

William MacAteer, who settled in Pennsylvania in 1772

The MacAteer 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.