Scottish Last Names

McTavish is a masculine name of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic patronymic name 'Mac Tamhais,' meaning 'son of Thomas.' It was traditionally a surname rather than a given name, belonging to a clan from the Highland regions of Scotland. The 'Mc' or 'Mac' prefix distinctly indicates 'son of' in Gaelic naming traditions. As a first name, McTavish is quite rare and represents a modern trend of using traditional surnames as given names. This practice often aims to honor family heritage or ancestry. The name carries strong Scottish associations and evokes images of Highland traditions, tartan, and clan loyalty, making it an uncommon but distinctive choice for parents seeking a name with clear cultural roots.

A new crop of gender-neutral English place names have suddenly become trendy — those ending in -ton. Multi-syllabic but not dramatic, these names are rising quickly for girls and boys. Think Charleston, Lexington, and Kensington. Livingston isn't as hot as some of the others, but its time will soon come. For a girl, Livingston boasts the nickname Liv.

Possibly to honor Canadian short story writer Alice -- though Alice is more far accessible and--until very recently-- nearly as distinctive.

Royal and Rory are both in the US Top 1000 for girls where they join a number of surname-inspired names ending in -son, from long-time favorite Madison to the newer Emerson. The yet to rank Royson could be a new consideration with its rosy feel, but tougher edge.

Maceuan is a masculine name of Scottish Gaelic origin, believed to be a variant of MacEwan or MacEwen. The name consists of 'Mac,' meaning 'son of,' and 'Euan' or 'Ewen,' which derives from the Gaelic 'Eóghan,' meaning 'born of the yew tree' or 'youth.' In Celtic tradition, the yew tree symbolized immortality and regeneration. While uncommon even in Scotland, the name carries strong connections to clan heritage and Scottish identity. Maceuan offers parents seeking a rare Scottish name an option with authentic cultural roots. The distinctive pronunciation and spelling make it an uncommon choice that still connects to traditional naming patterns of the Scottish Highlands.

Although highly associated with the internet security company, McAfee joined the reams of possible baby names when it was used for the female character McAfee Westbrook in the Netflix series The Politician.

A modern update to Hilary, which is related to Gaelic Ealair.

Maclaren is a feminine name derived from the Scottish surname MacLaren or MacLaurin, which originated as a patronymic meaning 'son of Laurence.' The surname comes from the Gaelic 'Mac Labhruinn.' As a first name, Maclaren is extremely rare, offering a distinctive option with Scottish heritage appeal. It fits within the trend of using surnames as first names while providing a unique alternative to more common choices like Mackenzie or Madison. The name has an aristocratic, refined quality while still maintaining strength. Despite its rarity, Maclaren may appeal to parents drawn to Scottish names or seeking a name with both historical roots and contemporary style.