The chronicles of the MacCorma family indicate that the name was first used by the Strathclyde Britons of the Scottish/English Borderlands. MacCorma is derived from the Gaelic name MacChormaig, which derives from the given name Cormac, meaning charioteer.
The surname MacCorma was first found in Dumfriesshire (Gaelic: Siorrachd Dhùn Phris), a Southern area, bordering on England that today forms part of the Dumfries and Galloway Council Area, 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.
This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacCorma research. Another 75 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1132, 1811, 1794 and 1865 are included under the topic Early MacCorma History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
The many spelling variations in Medieval Scottish names result from the fact that scribes in that era spelled words according to sound. Translation too, was an undeveloped science, and many names were altered into complete obscurity. Over the years MacCorma has been spelled MacCormack, MacCormick, MacCormock, McCormick, McCormack, McCormock, Maccormick, Maccormack, Maccormock, McArmick, McCarmick, McCarmike, McKermick, Makarmik, McCornick, Cornick, Cormack, M'Kernock, MacCornack and many more.
More information is included under the topic Early MacCorma Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
Some of the MacCorma family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 200 words (14 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.
To escape the uncertainties and discrimination faced in Scotland, many decided to head out for North America. Once they arrived, many Scots fought with relish in the American War of Independence; some went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Many ancestors of these Scots have recovered their lost national heritage in the 20th century through Clan organizations and Scottish historical societies. Among the settlers to North America were: Arthur, Barney, James, John, Patrick, William MacCormack all arrived in Philadelphia between 1840 and 1870.