McMester History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Origins Available:
Ireland

Etymology of McMester

What does the name McMester mean?

Many variations of the name McMester have evolved since the time of its initial creation. In Gaelic it appeared as Mac an Mhaighistir, which means son of the master.

Early Origins of the McMester family

The surname McMester was first found in Breffny, where they held a family seat in ancient times.

Early History of the McMester family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our McMester research. Another 83 words (6 lines of text) covering the years 1659, 1778 and 1854 are included under the topic Early McMester History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

McMester Spelling Variations

Pronunciation, rather than spelling, guided scribes and church officials when recording names during the Middle Ages. This practice often resulted in one person's name being recorded under several different spellings. Numerous spelling variations of the surname McMester are preserved in these old documents. The various spellings of the name that were found include MacMaster, McMaster, Masterson, Mac an Mhaighistir (Gaelic), MacAmaster, MacYmaster and many more.

Early Notables of the McMester family

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

Migration of the McMester family

Thousands of Irish families left for North American shores in the 19th century. These people were searching for a life unencumbered with poverty, hunger, and racial discrimination. Many arrived to eventually find such conditions, but many others simply did not arrive: victims of the diseased, overcrowded ships in which they traveled to the New World. Those who lived to see North American shores were instrumental in the development of the growing nations of Canada and the United States. A thorough examination of passenger and immigration lists has disclosed evidence of many early immigrants of the name McMester: James McMaster, who sailed to Boston in 1766; Elizabeth MacMaster sailed to New York in 1774; George McMaster sailed to Charles Town South Carolina in 1772.