China Naming Network - Ziwei Dou Shu - McDonald's, McMaster and so on. Why do some names start with Mc and the letters after it are capitalized?
McDonald's, McMaster and so on. Why do some names start with Mc and the letters after it are capitalized?
Yes, these surnames usually come from the Gaelic branch of Celtic language family.
For example:
MacDonald is the English form of Scottish Gaelic surname Mac Domhnaill or Irish surname Mac Dónaill;
McMartin is an English translation of Scottish Gaelic surname MAC Mà rta Inn or Irish surname Mac Máirtín;
McRory is an English translation of Scottish Gaelic surname MacRuairidh or Irish surname Mac Ruaidhrí; Wait a minute.
The Mc or Mac here is the prefix of the father's name in Scottish Gaelic or Irish, meaning "my son". Most of these surnames are derived from the father's name or father's surname. For example, McDonald's means "Donald's son".