McDonald Family Crest and Surname Origin
A short guide to the McDonald surname: its meaning, its roots in Scotland, and its heraldry.
Origin of the McDonald name
McDonald is a spelling of Macdonald, from Gaelic Mac Dhòmhnaill, "son of Domhnall", a name meaning "world ruler". Clan Donald descends from Donald, grandson of Somerled, and its chiefs were Lords of the Isles in the fourteenth and fifteenth centuries. The name is widespread in the Highlands and Islands, in Ulster and among the Scottish diaspora.
Our historical archives hold much more on the McDonald name: dates, names and records of early bearers.
This overview covers the McDonald name in Scotland. We also hold records of the name in other countries, such as the United States, Canada and Australia; your full pack is researched for your family's country of origin.
Get your full McDonald family history
The researched McDonald pack traces meaning, early bearers and migration routes, and includes a personalized McDonald coat of arms.
McDonald name FAQ
What does the McDonald name mean?
Son of Domhnall ("world ruler"). Common variants include Macdonald, MacDonald, Donaldson.
Where does the McDonald surname come from?
It originates in Scotland, and is also found in the United States, Canada and Australia.
Is there a McDonald coat of arms?
Arms were granted to individuals, not whole surnames, so there is no single McDonald crest. Herald Lab paints a personalized McDonald coat of arms based on historic heraldry.
Researched by Herald Lab Research Studio, since 1993. Sources: George F. Black, The Surnames of Scotland (New York Public Library, 1946); Dictionary of American Family Names (Oxford); US Census Bureau 2010.