Surname · Scottish origin
MacDonald
Meaning
The surname MacDonald means Son of Donald.
Origin
Scottish
Type
patronymic
Variants
1
The origin of the surname MacDonald
MacDonald means “son of Donald,” from Domhnall, “world-ruler.”
What kind of surname is MacDonald?
MacDonald is a patronymic surname, derived from a father's or ancestor's given name. It belongs to the Scottish naming tradition — you can read how Scottish surnames were formed on our Scottish last names page.
Variants & spellings of MacDonald
You may also see this surname written as:
- McDonald
Other Scottish surnames
Other patronymic surnames
Family names formed the same way, from different cultures.
Frequently asked questions
What does the surname MacDonald mean?
The surname MacDonald means Son of Donald. MacDonald means “son of Donald,” from Domhnall, “world-ruler.”
Where does the surname MacDonald come from?
MacDonald is a surname of Scottish origin.
What kind of surname is MacDonald?
MacDonald is a patronymic surname, derived from a father's or ancestor's given name.
What are other spellings of MacDonald?
Variant spellings of MacDonald include McDonald.
What are other Scottish surnames?
Other Scottish surnames include Anderson, Cameron, Campbell, Gordon, Grant, MacKenzie.