Show ContentsMacWitay History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of MacWitay

What does the name MacWitay mean?

The Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the MacWitay family. Their name comes from Veaty. Mac means son of. MacVitti, therefore, means son of Vitti. Over time, the spelling of the name has changed, which is why the MacVitti is descended from Veaty.

Early Origins of the MacWitay family

The surname MacWitay was first found in Ayrshire, and Galloway where they held a family seat from early times and their first records appeared on the census rolls taken by the ancient Kings of Scotland to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

Early History of the MacWitay family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our MacWitay research. Another 97 words (7 lines of text) covering the years 1560, 1574, 1627, 1685 and 1686 are included under the topic Early MacWitay History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

MacWitay Spelling Variations

Medieval translation of Gaelic names could not be referred to as an accurate process. Spelling was not yet standardized, and names in documents from that era are riddled with spelling variations. MacWitay has been written as MacVittie, MacVittye, MacVittae, MacWittie, MacWitty and many more.

Early Notables of the MacWitay family

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

Migration of the MacWitay family

Ancestors of many of the Dalriadan families who crossed the Atlantic still live along the east coast of the United States and Canada. Some Scottish settlers arrived in Canada during the American War of Independence as United Empire Loyalists, while others stayed south to fight for a new nation. The descendants of Scottish settlers in both countries began to rediscover their heritage in the 19th and 20th centuries through Clan societies and highland games. An inquiry into the early roots of North American families has revealed a number of immigrants bearing the name MacWitay or a variant listed above: Alan MacWittie who settled in New England in 1685; Duncan McVittie arrived in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania in 1775.



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