Septs of Clan MacRae

Cree (and Variants: Crae, Creagh)

Surname Origin & Association: Derived from a shortened form of MacRae, Cree likely comes from dropping the Gaelic “Mac” prefix. The name may also have local origins, such as the town of Creich.

Historical Context: Some MacRae families used the form Cree in Lowland Scotland and in English-speaking regions. Though not all Cree families are MacRae in origin, many are traditionally recognized as part of the clan.

MacAra (and Variants: MacArra, McAra, MacCara)

Surname Origin & Association: Gaelic in origin, meaning “son of the charioteer” or “son of the young man.”

Historical Context: Originally associated with Perthshire, some MacAra families settled near Balmacara in Ross-shire, a name meaning “town of MacAra.” This geographic and familial proximity led to their association with Clan MacRae.

MacCraw (and Variants: MacGraw, MacCrow, MacCroy)

Surname Origin & Association: These are phonetic variants of MacRae, derived from the Gaelic MacRaith.

Historical Context: Spelling variations such as McCraw and McGraw emerged through Anglicization. Found in Scotland and Ulster, these names often referred to the same Gaelic origin as MacRae.

MacRae (and Variants: Macrae, McRae, McCrae, MacCrea, McCrea, MacDrae)

Surname Origin & Association: From Gaelic Mac Raith, meaning “son of grace” or “son of prosperity.”

Historical Context: The chief surname of the clan. The MacRaes served the Mackenzies as constables of Eilean Donan Castle and earned renown as loyal warriors and defenders of Kintail.

MacRath (and Variants: MacRaith, MacCraith, McRath, MacGrath, Magrath, MacCreath)

Surname Origin & Association: The original Gaelic form of MacRae. MacGrath is the Irish version of the same name.

Historical Context: The name MacRath appears in early Scottish and Irish documents. Many Irish McGraths and Scottish MacRaes share a common origin in the Gaelic “son of grace.”

Rae (and Variants: Rea, Ray, Raith, Reath)

Surname Origin & Association: Derived either from shortening MacRae or independently from the Scots word for roe deer.

Historical Context: Rae was used as a simplified form of MacRae, especially in Lowland and Ulster records. It was also a common name in the Borders, sometimes with no MacRae connection.

References (APA)

Adam, F. (1970). The Clans, Septs and Regiments of the Scottish Highlands (8th ed.). Edinburgh: Johnston and Bacon.

Black, G. F. (1946). The Surnames of Scotland: Their Origin, Meaning, and History. New York: New York Public Library.

Clan MacRae Society. (2020). MacRae Surname in Scotland. Retrieved from https://clanmacrae.org.au

Surname Database. (n.d.). Rae – Last Name Origin. Retrieved from https://www.surnamedb.com

Way, G. of Plean, & Squire, R. (1994). Collins Scottish Clan & Family Encyclopedia. Glasgow: HarperCollins.