Surname McBeth - Meaning and Origin
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McBeth: What does the surname McBeth mean?
The last name McBeth has its roots in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and is believed to be derived from the Gaelic name Macbeth. The name Macbeth is derived from an Old Gaelic form of the name Macbiod, which means ‘son of life’. The earliest form of the name is believed to have been either Macbeatha or Macbethad. The prefix Mac means ‘son of’, and the suffix besh means ‘life’.
The name Macbeth first appeared in 12th century Scotland, and is most famously connected to the tragedy of the same name written by William Shakespeare between 1603-1607. In the play, the main character Macbeth is a Thane of Glamis who then attains the title of King of Scotland. This tragedy, with its themes of fate, ambition, manipulation and superstition, has gone on to make its namesake famous around the world.
Today, McBeth is a very common Scottish and Northern Irish surname, and has been associated with various prominent figures throughout history. These range from aristocrats to politicians and authors. It is a reminder of Scotland’s ancient cultural heritage, and can still be a source of inspiration to those who bear the surname today.
Order DNA origin analysisMcBeth: Where does the name McBeth come from?
The last name McBeth is most commonly found in Scotland where it originates from. It is a surname of Scottish Gaelic origin which comes from the Mac Beatha clan's MacBeth lineage. McBeth is also a name which has been passed down from the 11th-century Earl of Moray, Macbeth, who was immortalized by William Shakespeare’s famed play of the same name.
The name McBeth is still widely used across Scotland today, where records show its presence in the areas of Aberdeenshire, Perthshire and throughout other parts of the country. It is not as common elsewhere, though families bearing this name may have relocated in the centuries since its origin.
In the wake of the Scottish diaspora which began in the 17th century, descendants of this noble clan are believed to have emigrated to other lands, leading to a spread of the name in countries such as Canada, New Zealand, America, Ireland and England.
Despite its presence in other parts of the world, the name McBeth continues to have an influence in Scotland, where it is still a widely used surname with deep historical roots.
Variations of the surname McBeth
The surname McBeth has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include MacBeth, MacBeath, Macbeat, MacBite, MacBeit, MacBeeth, MacBethe, MacBaith, McBeath, McBeith and MacBeith.
The McBeth surname has Scottish and Irish roots, and is derived from the Gaelic name MacBeatha. Beatha is the Gaelic word for ‘life’ and has been translated as ‘son of life’. The surname McBeth is most commonly found in Scotland and Ulster, but is also present in some other parts of Ireland and England.
Variant forms of the McBeth name are often found in records due to the phonetic nature of Irish and Scottish Gaelic language. It is not uncommon for the same surname to be spelled in a variety of ways, as documents at the time were recorded phonetically. For example, the surname McBeath could also be found spelled as MacBeithe, MacBeant and MacEurt.
The Gaelic MacBeatha family has several branches, including the MacBeaths of Fife and the McBeaths of Ayrshire and Lanarkshire. The MacBeaths of Fife were a prominent clann of Scotland, and had several branches, including the MacBeaths of Rosehall, the MacBeaths of Wemyss and the McBeaths of Torryberry.
Variants of the surname McBeth continue to be in use today, from MacBeth to McBeith. The surname can also be formed from the spelling of a given name, such as MacBeth becoming Macbethan. Despite the range of variants, the surname McBeth continues to be found in both Scotland and Ireland.
Famous people with the name McBeth
- Kenneth Macbeth (Footballer and Coach)
- Jerome McBeth (Singer and Actor)
- Kevin McBeth (Singer)
- Paul McBeth (Disc Golf Player)
- Summer McBeth (Actress)
- Crystal McBeth (Producer and Director)
- Taylor McBeth (YouTuber)
- Chris McBeth (Actor, Writer, and Director)
- Mike McBeth (Musician)
- Jason McBeth (Drummer and Solo Artist)
- Albert McBeth (Singer and Actor)
- Lucille McBeth (Poet and Novelist)
- Rhonda McBeth (Public Speaker and Educator)
- Sarah McBeth (Actress)
- Antoine McBeth (Athlete and Basketball Player)
- David McBeth (Writer and Producer)
- Jacob McBeth (Poet and Author)
- Gina McBeth (Graphic Designer)
- Abby McBeth (Civil Rights Activist)
- Pauline McBeth (Artist)