Septs of Clan MacKenzie
Carlaw
Surname Origin & Association: Carlaw likely derives from the place name Carloway on the Isle of Lewis. As Lewis came under MacKenzie control in the early 17th century, families from that area naturally fell under Clan MacKenzie’s sphere of influence.
Historical Context: After Clan MacKenzie took control of Lewis from the MacLeods in 1610, local families, including those bearing the Carlaw name, became tenants and supporters of the MacKenzie chiefs.
Charles (and Variants: Charleson, MacKerlich, MacThearliach)
Surname Origin & Association: Derived from the personal name Charles and its Gaelic form Tearlach, the surname Charleson means “son of Charles.” The Gaelic MacThearlach and anglicized MacKerlich denote similar lineage.
Historical Context: The Charles family, or Clan Tearlach, existed in MacKenzie lands from the 15th century. Some documents from 1439 mention Charles-surnamed individuals witnessing MacKenzie agreements, tying them to clan affairs.
Clunes (and Variants: Clunies, Cluness)
Surname Origin & Association: A territorial surname from the Gaelic cluain, meaning “meadow.”
Historical Context: Clunes families likely settled in MacKenzie lands or came under their protection during the clan’s expansion into Easter Ross and other regions in the 17th century.
Cromarty
Surname Origin & Association: A territorial name from the district of Cromarty in Easter Ross, derived from Gaelic meaning “crooked bay” or “Martin’s fort.”
Historical Context: The MacKenzies held the title Earl of Cromartie from 1678. Families with the Cromarty name were integrated into the clan as residents of MacKenzie lands.
Cross
Surname Origin & Association: Of English origin, referring to someone living near a cross or wayside cross.
Historical Context: Families bearing this name were found in MacKenzie-dominated regions like Easter Ross by the 18th and 19th centuries and were absorbed into the clan community.
Kenneth (and Variants: Kennethson, Kinnach, Kinnoch, Kynoch)
Surname Origin & Association: Kenneth comes from Coinneach, the ancestor of Clan MacKenzie. These are patronymic and phonetic variants.
Historical Context: Variants arose from Gaelic MacCoinnich. In documents, early MacKenzies were sometimes recorded as Kennethson or Kynoch. All signify descent from the clan’s progenitor.
Surname Origin & Association: From Gaelic MacAmhlaidh, meaning “son of Aulay.”
Historical Context: The MacAulays of Lewis, after the MacKenzie conquest in 1610, became dependents and allies of the MacKenzies, leading to their inclusion as a clan sept.
MacBeolain
Surname Origin & Association: Derived from Beólan, the ancestral name of the old Earls of Ross.
Historical Context: The MacKenzies claimed descent from this family. Some descendants kept the MacBeolain name, linking them to MacKenzie ancestry.
MacBeath (and Variant: MacBeth)
Surname Origin & Association: From Gaelic MacBeatha, “son of life,” originally a name for hereditary physicians.
Historical Context: Some MacBeaths served as physicians to MacKenzie chiefs or married into the clan. Others may descend from the same lineage as the early Earls of Ross.
MacConnach (and Variant: MacConnachie)
Surname Origin & Association: From Gaelic MacCoinneach, “son of Kenneth.” Variant spellings evolved in records.
Historical Context: Used interchangeably with MacKenzie in some documents, especially in older records where Gaelic names were anglicized phonetically.
MacCure (and Variant: Maceur)
Surname Origin & Association: Likely a variant of MacIver or MacIomhair, “son of Iver.”
Historical Context: Appeared in documents as a phonetically rendered form. MacIver was a prominent MacKenzie sept, and these are considered spelling variants.
MacIver (and Variants: MacIvor, Makiver, Iverach, Iverson, Ivory)
Surname Origin & Association: From Gaelic MacÌomhair, “son of Iver.”
Historical Context: A notable cadet family of Clan MacKenzie. These families were based in Wester Ross and followed the MacKenzie chiefs for centuries.
MacKenna (and Variants: MacKinna, MacKenney, MacKenny, MacKinney, MacKinnie)
Surname Origin & Association: From Gaelic MacCionaodha, “son of Kenneth.”
Historical Context: Appeared in southwest Scotland and Ulster. Recognized as a MacKenzie sept due to shared Gaelic lineage and pronunciation.
MacLeay
urname Origin & Association: From Gaelic Mac an Léigh, “son of the physician.”
Historical Context: A professional family in MacKenzie service. Often associated with Gairloch, where they served as physicians to the clan.
MacMurchie (and Variants: MacMurchy, Murchie)
Surname Origin & Association: From Gaelic MacMhurchaidh, “son of Murdoch.”
Historical Context: Descended from Murdoch MacKenzie. This sept became prominent in clan leadership and estate management.
Murchison
Surname Origin & Association: A Lowland-style patronymic from Murdoch, equivalent to MacMurchie.
Historical Context: Adopted by Highland MacKenzies transitioning to English naming. Colonel Donald Murchison was a major figure in the Jacobite period.
MacWhinnie (and Variants: MacWeeny, MacQueenie, Mawhinney, MacAweeney)
Surname Origin & Association: A phonetic rendering of MacCoinnich, the Gaelic form of MacKenzie.
Historical Context: Found in Galloway and Ulster. Resulted from local pronunciations of MacKenzie being recorded phonetically.
Morgan
Surname Origin & Association: Of Welsh origin, meaning “sea-born.”
Historical Context: Though not originally Highland, some Morgan families intermarried with MacKenzies in the diaspora and are now accepted by the clan chief.
Mungal
Surname Origin & Association: Possibly a territorial name from Stirlingshire.
Historical Context: A minor sept included in modern records. Families of this name may have lived under MacKenzie patronage in later centuries.
Smart
Surname Origin & Association: Anglo-Saxon origin, meaning “clever” or “quick.”
Historical Context: Present in Easter Ross from at least the 17th century. Integrated into MacKenzie society through settlement and intermarriage.
Tuach
Surname Origin & Association: From Gaelic Tuathach, “northerner.”
Historical Context: Descended from John “Tuach” MacKenzie of Gairloch. His descendants were known by this nickname after relocating to Lochaber and then returning north.
References (APA)
Clan MacKenzie Society. (n.d.). Septs of MacKenzie. Retrieved from https://www.clanmackenziesociety.co.uk
Clan MacKenzie Initiative. (n.d.). The Septs. Retrieved from https://www.clanmackenzie.org
ScotClans. (n.d.). Associated Names of Clan MacKenzie. Retrieved from https://www.scotclans.com
Scots Connection. (n.d.). MacKenzie Clan Crest and History. Retrieved from https://www.scotsconnection.com
Wikipedia contributors. (2024). Clan MacKenzie. Retrieved from https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Clan_MacKenzie