Clan MacDonald

also McDonald, MacDonell, MacDonnell, Donald

The largest of the Highland clans — Lords of the Isles.

Motto

Per mare per terras

— By sea and by land

What does the MacDonald name mean?

Son of Donald — from Domhnall, a chief of the Gaels. Donald was grandson of Somerled, the 12th-century King of the Hebrides.

The history of Clan MacDonald

The largest of the Highland clans, the Norse-Gaelic Clan Ranald descend from Ranald, son of John, Lord of the Isles. The Lordship of the Isles had its own parliament and at its height was powerful enough to challenge the kings of Scotland. Their territory ran principally along Scotland's north-west coast.

In the Wars of Scottish Independence the MacDonalds fought alongside Robert the Bruce. After Bannockburn in 1314, Bruce proclaimed that Clan Donald should always hold the place of honour on the right wing of the Scottish army.

The MacDonalds joined both the 1715 and 1745 Jacobite Risings. Bonnie Prince Charlie landed in Clanranald territory in 1745, and it was Flora MacDonald who helped him escape to Skye after his defeat at Culloden the following year.

Notable bearers of the MacDonald name

Flora MacDonald
Somerled, King of the Hebrides

Frequently asked

What does the surname MacDonald mean?

Son of Donald — from Domhnall, a chief of the Gaels. Donald was grandson of Somerled, the 12th-century King of the Hebrides.

Where does the MacDonald family come from?

Clan MacDonald was historically based in the The Highlands & Islands of Scotland, in particular Skye, The Outer Hebrides and Lochaber.

What is the Clan MacDonald motto?

The motto of Clan MacDonald is "Per mare per terras", which translates as "By sea and by land".

Who are some famous MacDonalds?

Notable bearers of the MacDonald name include Flora MacDonald and Somerled, King of the Hebrides.

Is McDonald the same family as MacDonald?

Yes. McDonald, MacDonell, MacDonnell and Donald are historical spelling variants of the MacDonald name. They share the same lineage and clan affiliation.