Re: Whats my surname mean?
by Jim Young (guest)
2/9/2007, 2:06 AM
Mac surnames are not always based on personal names like MacDonald, MacNeill, etc. Sometimes they are "son of the ...". McIntosh is one such, as per Lora's explanation. Other examples are McIntyre or McAteer (Mac an tsaoir) "son of the carpenter", McNulty or Macanulty (Mac an Ultaigh) "son of the Ulsterman".
It is argued by some that these names should not hava capital letter after the Mac as they aren't proper names. Consequently some people would write Macintosh or Mackintosh.