Contents [hide]

McGregor History Early Origins Early History Spelling Variations Early Notables World Ranking

Ireland United States Canada Australia New Zealand

Contemporary Notables Historic Events Related Stories Motto Suggested Reading Citations

McGregor History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Scotland
Ireland

The age-old Hebrides islands and the west coast of Scotland are the ancestral home of the McGregor family. Their name comes from the given name Gregory. The Gaelic form of the name was Mac Griogain, which translates as son of Gregory.

Early Origins of the McGregor family

The surname McGregor was first found in Argyllshire (Gaelic erra Ghaidheal), the region of western Scotland corresponding roughly with the ancient Kingdom of Dál Riata, in the Strathclyde region of Scotland, now part of the Council Area of Argyll and Bute, as their origins can be traced back to Griogair, son of the eighth century King Alpin of Scotland, the High King of the Scots and Picts who died in 860 AD. Hence, their famous motto translates from Gaelic as 'Royal is my blood.' They are the principal branch of the Siol Alpine whose representative, King Kenneth the Hardy, was son of MacAlpin, the first King of the Scots.

Early History of the McGregor family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McGregor research. Another 491 words (35 lines of text) covering the years 1000, 1587, 1603, 1640, 1671, 1734, 1888 and 1890 are included under the topic Early McGregor History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGregor Spelling Variations

Medieval spelling was at best an intuitive process, and translation between Gaelic and English was no more effective. These factors caused an enormous number of spelling variations in Dalriadan names. In fact, it was not uncommon to see a father and son who spelled their name differently. Over the years, McGregor has been spelled MacGregor, MacGrigor, MacGrioghair (Gaelic) and others.

Early Notables of the McGregor family

Another 33 words (2 lines of text) are included under the topic Early McGregor Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McGregor World Ranking

In the United States, the name McGregor is the 2,324^th most popular surname with an estimated 12,435 people with that name. 1 However, in Canada, the name McGregor is ranked the 593^rd most popular surname with an estimated 8,491 people with that name. 2 And in Australia, the name McGregor is the 332^nd popular surname with an estimated 10,784 people with that name. 3 New Zealand ranks McGregor as 100^th with 4,000 people. 4 The United Kingdom ranks McGregor as 616^th with 10,704 people. 5

Migration of the McGregor family to Ireland

Some of the McGregor 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.

McGregor migration to the United States +

Scottish settlers arrived in many of the communities that became the backbones of the United States and Canada. Many stayed, but some headed west for the endless open country of the prairies. In the American War of Independence, many Scots who remained loyal to England re-settled in Canada as United Empire Loyalists. Scots across North America were able to recover much of their lost heritage in the 20th century as Clan societies and highland games sprang up across North America. Early immigration and passenger lists have documented some of the first McGregors to arrive on North American shores:

McGregor Settlers in United States in the 18th Century

Duncan McGregor, who settled in South Carolina in 1716
Gregor McGregor, who settled in Virginia along with John in 1716
William McGregor, who landed in North Carolina in 1745 6
John McGregor, who settled in Boston in 1766
Duncan McGregor, who landed in New Jersey in 1774 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McGregor Settlers in United States in the 19th Century

Alexander McGregor, who landed in America in 1800 6
James McGregor, who landed in America in 1810 6
Renold McGregor, aged 36, who landed in New York in 1812 6
Malcom McGregor, aged 32, who arrived in New York in 1812 6
Neil McGregor, who arrived in Charleston, South Carolina in 1813 6
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McGregor migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

McGregor Settlers in Canada in the 18th Century

John McGregor, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1749
John McGregor, who landed in Pictou, Nova Scotia in 1773
Doctor McGregor, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1773
Mr. Alexander McGregor U.E. who settled in Eastern District [Cornwall], Ontario c. 1784 7
Mr. Daniel McGregor U.E. who settled in Saint John, New Brunswick c. 1784 7
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McGregor Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century

Alex McGregor, aged 6, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
Alexander McGregor, aged 2, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
Andrew McGregor, aged 4, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
Christian McGregor, who landed in Nova Scotia in 1801
Donald McGregor, who arrived in Nova Scotia in 1801
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McGregor migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

McGregor Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century

John McGregor, Scottish convict from Edinburgh, who was transported aboard the "Albion" on September 21, 1826, settling in New South Wales, Australia 8
Miss Margaret McGregor, (McGregor, Mary, Orr, Smith), Scottish convict who was convicted in Glasgow, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Buffalo" on 4th May 1833, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 9
A McGregor, who landed in Sydney, Australia in 1839
Mr. Joseph McGregor, Scottish convict who was convicted in Aberdeen, Scotland for 7 years, transported aboard the "Barossa" on 8th December 1839, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 10
Mr. Hugh McGregor, Scottish convict who was convicted in Inverness, Scotland for 14 years, transported aboard the "Eden" on 8th July 1840, arriving in New South Wales, Australia 11
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

McGregor migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

McGregor Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century

Mr. Alexander McGregor, Cornish settler travelling from Launceston, UK aboard the ship "Brazil Packet" arriving in Hokianga, North Island, New Zealand in 1836 12
Gregor McGREGOR, who landed in Wellington, New Zealand in 1840 aboard the ship Blenheim
Joseph McGregor, aged 26, a farmer, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
Ellen McGregor, aged 30, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Martha Ridgeway" in 1840
Mr. Joseph McGregor, (b. 1814), aged 26, British agriculturalist travelling from England aboard the ship "Martha Ridgway" arriving in Wellington, New Zealand on 14th November 1840 12
... (More are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Contemporary Notables of the name McGregor (post 1700) +

Katie McGregor (b. 1977), American runner who participates in track, cross country and the marathon
Douglas McGregor (1906-1964), American business theorist and management professor at MIT
Don McGregor (b. 1945), American comic book writer
Dion McGregor (1922-1994), American songwriter
Keli McGregor (b. 1963), American professional football player in the NFL and president of the Colorado Rockies from 2001 to 2010
Gregor McGregor (1848-1914), Scottish-born Australian politician and trade union leader
Ewan Gordon McGregor (b. 1971), Scottish two-time Golden Globe nominated actor, best known for his role as the young Obi-Wan Kenobi in Star Wars
Allan McGregor (b. 1982), Scottish footballer
Alistair McGregor (b. 1981), Scottish field hockey goalkeeper
Jane McGregor (b. 1983), Canadian actress, known for her roles in Slap Her... She's French (2002), Flower & Garnet (2002), and That Beautiful Somewhere (2006),
... (Another 12 notables are available in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.)

Historic Events for the McGregor family +

HMAS Sydney II

Mr. Donald Alexander McGregor (1919-1941), Australian Cook (S) from Eastwood, New South Wales, Australia, who sailed into battle aboard HMAS Sydney II and died in the sinking 13

HMS Hood

Mr. Alfred McGregor (b. 1921), English Stoker 1st Class serving for the Royal Navy from Brighton, Sussex, England, who sailed into battle and died in the HMS Hood sinking 14

HMS Prince of Wales

Mr. Robert McGregor, British Leading Steward, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 15
Mr. Leonard Mcgregor, British Corporal, who sailed into battle on the HMS Prince of Wales (1941) and died in the sinking 15

HMS Royal Oak

Robert McGregor (1918-1939), British Seaman with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 16
George Douglas McGregor (1918-1939), British Stoker 1st Class with the Royal Navy aboard the HMS Royal Oak (1939) when she was torpedoed by U-47 and sunk; he died in the sinking 16

RMS Lusitania

Miss Agnes Mcgregor, Scottish Stewardess from Glasgow, Scotland, who worked aboard the RMS Lusitania (1915) and died in the sinking 17

RMS Titanic

Mr. J. McGregor (d. 1912), aged 30, English Fireman/Stoker from Southampton, Hampshire who worked aboard the RMS Titanic and died in the sinking 18

The McGregor 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: 'S Rioghal Mo Dhream
Motto Translation: Royal is my blood.

Citations +

"What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
"Surnames Meanings, Origins & Distribution Maps - Forebears." Forebears, https://forebears.io/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in Australia." Forebears, https://forebears.io/australia/surnames
"Most Common Last Names in New Zealand." Forebears, https://forebears.io/new-zealand/surnames
"UK surname ranking." UK Surname map, https://www.surnamemap.eu/unitedkingdom/surnames_ranking.php?p=10
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)
Rubincam, Milton. The Old United Empire Loyalists List. Genealogical Publishing Co., Inc, 1976. (Originally published as; United Empire Loyalists. The Centennial of the Settlement of Upper Canada. Rose Publishing Company, 1885.) ISBN 0-8063-0331-X
State Library of Queensland. (Retrieved 2016, October 27) Albion voyage to New South Wales, Australia in 1826 with 192 passengers. Retrieved from http://www.convictrecords.com.au/ships/albion/1826
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 3rd November 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/buffalo
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 24th September 2020). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/barossa
Convict Records Voyages to Australia (Retrieved 20th October 2021). Retrieved from https://convictrecords.com.au/ships/eden
New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
HMAS Sydney II, Finding Sydney Foundation - Roll of Honour. (Retrieved 2014, April 24) . Retrieved from http://www.findingsydney.com/roll.asp
H.M.S. Hood Association-Battle Cruiser Hood: Crew Information - H.M.S. Hood Rolls of Honour, Men Lost in the Sinking of H.M.S. Hood, 24th May 1941. (Retrieved 2016, July 15) . Retrieved from http://www.hmshood.com/crew/memorial/roh_24may41.htm
HMS Prince of Wales Crew members. (Retrieved 2014, April 9) . Retrieved from http://www.forcez-survivors.org.uk/biographies/listprincecrew.html
Ships hit by U-boats crew list HMS Royal Oak (08) - (Retrieved 2018 February, 9th) - retrieved from https://uboat.net/allies/merchants/crews/ship68.html
Lusitania Passenger List - The Lusitania Resource. (Retrieved 2014, March 7) . Retrieved from http://www.rmslusitania.info/lusitania-passenger-list/
Titanic Passenger List - Titanic Facts. (Retrieved 2016, July 13) . Retrieved from http://www.titanicfacts.net/titanic-passenger-list.html