MacDonald, Macdonald, and McDonald are surnames of both

Irish Irish may refer to: Common meanings * Someone or something of, from, or related to: ** Ireland, an island situated off the north-western coast of continental Europe ***Éire, Irish language name for the isle ** Northern Ireland, a constituent unit ...

and Scottish Origin. In the

Scottish Gaelic Scottish Gaelic ( gd, Gàidhlig ), also known as Scots Gaelic and Gaelic, is a Goidelic language (in the Celtic branch of the Indo-European language family) native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a Goidelic language, Scottish Gaelic, as well as ...

and

languages they are

patronymic A patronymic, or patronym, is a component of a personal name based on the given name of one's father, grandfather (avonymic), or an earlier male ancestor. Patronymics are still in use, including mandatory use, in many countries worldwide, alt ...

, referring to an ancestor with given name Donald.

Origins and variants

The surname is an

Anglicised Anglicisation is the process by which a place or person becomes influenced by English culture or British culture, or a process of cultural and/or linguistic change in which something non-English becomes English. It can also refer to the influen ...

form of the

and

Irish Gaelic Irish (Standard Irish: ), also known as Gaelic, is a Goidelic language of the Insular Celtic branch of the Celtic language family, which is a part of the Indo-European language family. Irish is indigenous to the island of Ireland and was th ...

or . The name is a

patronym A patronymic, or patronym, is a component of a personal name based on the given name of one's father, grandfather (avonymic), or an earlier male ancestor. Patronymics are still in use, including mandatory use, in many countries worldwide, alt ...

meaning 'son of Dòmhnall'. The personal name is composed of the elements 'world' and 'might, rule'. According to

Alex Woolf Alex Woolf (born 12 July 1963) is a British medieval historian and academic. He specialises in the history of wikt:Great Britain and Ireland, Britain and Ireland and to a lesser extent Scandinavia in the Early Middle Ages, with a particular em ...

, the Gaelic personal name is probably a borrowing from the

British Celtic Insular Celtic languages are the group of Celtic languages of Brittany, Great Britain, Ireland, and the Isle of Man. All surviving Celtic languages are in the Insular group, including Breton, which is spoken on continental Europe in Britta ...

. The name is also native to Ireland but of separate origin: the MacDonalds of Munster were a sept of the O'Brian Clan and dynasty. In the context of Scottish

clans A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, clans may claim descent from founding member or apical ancestor. Clans, in indigenous societies, tend to be endogamous, mea ...

, the various forms of the name refer to one of the largest clans,

Clan Donald Clan Donald, also known as Clan MacDonald ( gd, Clann Dòmhnaill; Mac Dòmhnaill ), is a Highland Scottish clan and one of the largest Scottish clans. The Lord Lyon King of Arms, the Scottish official with responsibility for regulating heraldry ...

. In Ireland the name is largely from this root but may sometimes be a synonym for MacDonnell, which itself may be of distinct Scottish Clan Donald galloglass or native Irish origins.

Frequency and distribution

In Scottish surname data, no distinction is made between, for instance, "Macdonald" and "MacDonald". According to these data, the following frequency information can be collated: Table references%freq = percentage of the sample population sharing a particular surname. Note: Quote from GROScotSurnames: "Note that McDonald is shown as more common than MacDonald in 1901, although given the uncertainties surrounding the spelling of these names it would seem wrong to regard this as significant." Frequency data from England of 1891 shows a concentration of families bearing the "Macdonald" surname in

Lancashire Lancashire ( , ; abbreviated Lancs) is the name of a historic county, ceremonial county, and non-metropolitan county in North West England. The boundaries of these three areas differ significantly. The non-metropolitan county of Lancas ...

and

Yorkshire Yorkshire ( ; abbreviated Yorks), formally known as the County of York, is a Historic counties of England, historic county in northern England and by far the largest in the United Kingdom. Because of its large area in comparison with other Eng ...

with a lower frequency in the northernmost counties, but overall widespread distribution throughout the country. "McDonald" shares the same pattern of distribution. In contemporaneous data from the United States, coast-to-coast distribution of both "Macdonald" and "McDonald" appears in 1880. Looking back to 1840 in the United States, the prevalence of "McDonald" is far greater than that of "Macdonald", with concentration in the

Ohio Ohio () is a U.S. state, state in the Midwestern United States, Midwestern region of the United States. Of the List of states and territories of the United States, fifty U.S. states, it is the List of U.S. states and territories by area, 34th-l ...

Pennsylvania Pennsylvania (; ( Pennsylvania Dutch: )), officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a state spanning the Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes regions of the United States. It borders Delaware to its southeast, ...

New York New York most commonly refers to: * New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York * New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States New York may also refer to: Film and television * '' ...

corridor.macdonald Family History Facts 1840 – Ancestry.com
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Notable people: MacDonald surname

Born before 1400 *

Aonghus Mór Aonghus Mór mac Domhnaill (died 1293) was a leading figure in the thirteenth-century kingdoms of the Kingdom of the Isles, Isles and Kingdom of Scotland, Scotland. He was a son of Domhnall mac Raghnaill, the eponym of Clann Domhnaill, a branch ...

(died c. 1293), son of Domhnall mac Raghnaill, and can be regarded as the first MacDonald *

Aonghus Óg of Islay Aonghus Óg Mac Domhnaill (died 1314 × 1318/ 1330), or Angus Og MacDonald, was a fourteenth-century Scottish magnate and chief of Clann Domhnaill. He was a younger son of Aonghus Mór mac Domhnaill, Lord of Islay. After the latter's apparen ...

(died 1314 × 1318/c. 1330), Chief of Clan Donald and ally of

Robert the Bruce Robert I (11 July 1274 – 7 June 1329), popularly known as Robert the Bruce (Scottish Gaelic: ''Raibeart an Bruis''), was King of Scots from 1306 to his death in 1329. One of the most renowned warriors of his generation, Robert eventuall ...

John of Islay, Lord of the Isles :''This article refers to John I, Lord of the Isles; for John II, see John of Islay, Earl of Ross'' John of Islay (or John MacDonald) ( gd, Eòin Mac Dòmhnuill or gd, Iain mac Aonghais Mac Dhòmhnuill) (died 1386) was the Lord of the Isles (1 ...

(died 1386), First

Lord of the Isles The Lord of the Isles or King of the Isles ( gd, Triath nan Eilean or ) is a title of Scottish nobility with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It began with Somerled in the 12th century and thereafter the title ...

and Chief of Clan Donald *

Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles Donald, Lord of the Isles ( gd, Dómhnall; died 1423), was the son and successor of John of Islay, Lord of the Isles and chief of Clan Donald. The Lordship of the Isles was based in and around the Scottish west-coast island of Islay, but unde ...

(died 1423), Second Lord of the Isles *

Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross Alexander is a male given name. The most prominent bearer of the name is Alexander the Great, the king of the Ancient Greek kingdom of Macedonia who created one of the largest empires in ancient history. Variants listed here are Aleksandar, Al ...

(died 1449), Third Lord of the Isles; ally then rival of his relative,

James I of Scotland James I (late July 139421 February 1437) was King of Scots from 1406 until his assassination in 1437. The youngest of three sons, he was born in Dunfermline Abbey to King Robert III and Annabella Drummond. His older brother David, Duke of ...

Born after 1400 *

John of Islay, Earl of Ross :''This article refers to John II, Lord of the Isles; for John I, see John of Islay, Lord of the Isles'' John of Islay (or John MacDonald) (1434–1503), Earl of Ross, fourth (and last) Lord of the Isles, and ''Mac Domhnaill'' (chief of Clan ...

(1434–1503), or "John MacDonald", Scottish ruler, Fourth

and Chief of the Highland Clan Donald *

Aonghas Óg Aonghas Óg (died 1490) was a Scottish nobleman who was the last independent Lord of the Isles. Aonghas became a rebel against both his father and the Scottish crown, in a civil clan war which would see the end of the independent Lordship of th ...

(died 1490), bastard son of John of Islay and last of the MacDonald Lords of the Isles *

Alasdair Mac Colla Alasdair Mac Colla Chiotaich MacDhòmhnaill (c. 1610 – 13 November 1647), also known by the English variant of his name Sir Alexander MacDonald, was a military officer best known for his participation in the Wars of the Three Kingdoms, notably ...

(1610–1647), or Sir Alexander MacDonald, Scottish/Irish military commander during the

Wars of the Three Kingdoms The Wars of the Three Kingdoms were a series of related conflicts fought between 1639 and 1653 in the kingdoms of England, Scotland and Ireland, then separate entities united in a personal union under Charles I. They include the 1639 to 1640 Bi ...

Born after 1700 * Flora MacDonald (1722–1790), Jacobite patriot who protected Bonnie Prince Charlie after the 1746 Battle of Culloden *

Jacques MacDonald Ancient and noble French family names, Jacques, Jacq, or James are believed to originate from the Middle Ages in the historic northwest Brittany region in France, and have since spread around the world over the centuries. To date, there are over ...

(1765–1840), 1st Duke of Taranto, French military officer and Marshal of the Empire under

Napoleon I Napoleon Bonaparte ; it, Napoleone Bonaparte, ; co, Napulione Buonaparte. (born Napoleone Buonaparte; 15 August 1769 – 5 May 1821), later known by his regnal name Napoleon I, was a French military commander and political leader wh ...

(2nd generation French; father was Scottish) *

John MacDonald of Garth John MacDonald of Garth (1771 – 25 January 1866) was a colourful character involved in the Canadian fur trade. He was an enthusiastic duellist and a shrewd businessman who became a partner in the North West Company and a member of the Beaver C ...

(1771–1866), Scottish emigrant to Canada, early partner in the North West Company *

John Small MacDonald John Small MacDonald (ca. 1791 – January 20, 1849) was a businessman and politician on Prince Edward Island. He was born in West River, Saint John's Island (later Prince Edward Island), the son of John Macdonald and Margaret (Peggy) Macdon ...

(c. 1791 – 1849), Canadian businessman and provincial politician Born after 1800 *

Annie MacDonald Annie MacDonald née Mitchell (1832–1897), was a British courtier. She was a ''Dresser'' ( lady's maid) to Queen Victoria between 1862 and 1897.Helen Rappaport: Queen Victoria: A Biographical Companion', 2003 Life She was born near Balmoral ...

(1832–1897), British courtier, Dresser (lady's maid) to Queen Victoria of Great Britain * A. B. MacDonald (born c. 1861), American journalist * Beatrice Mary MacDonald (1881–1969), American Army nurse during World War I *

Bob MacDonald (golfer) Robert George MacDonald (24 February 1885 – 29 March 1960) was a Scottish-American professional golfer and club maker who played in the early 20th century. He had three top-10 finishes in the U.S. Open. His best performance came in 1915 when he ...

(1885–1960), Scottish-American golfer *

Claude Maxwell MacDonald Colonel Sir Claude Maxwell MacDonald, (12 June 1852 – 10 September 1915) was a British soldier and diplomat, best known for his service in China and Japan. Early life MacDonald was born the son of Mary Ellen MacDonald (''nee'' Dougan) and Ma ...

(1852–1915), British soldier and diplomat *

Elizabeth Roberts MacDonald Elizabeth Roberts MacDonald (, Roberts; 17 February 1864 – 8 November 1922) was a Canadian writer of poetry, children's literature, essays, and short stories. She regularly contributed articles to a number of Canadian and U.S. dailies. MacDonald ...

(1864–1922), Canadian writer, suffragist *

George MacDonald George MacDonald (10 December 1824 – 18 September 1905) was a Scottish author, poet and Christian Congregational minister. He was a pioneering figure in the field of modern fantasy literature and the mentor of fellow writer Lewis Carroll ...

(1824–1905), Scottish-English author, poet, and Christian minister *

Hector MacDonald Major-General Sir Hector Archibald MacDonald, ( gd, Eachann Gilleasbaig MacDhòmhnaill; 4 March 1853 – 25 March 1903), also known as Fighting Mac, was a Scottish soldier. The son of a crofter, MacDonald left school before he was 15, en ...

(1853–1903), Scottish Major-General of the British Army under Lord Kitchener *

John Alexander Macdonald Sir John Alexander Macdonald (January 10 or 11, 1815 – June 6, 1891) was the first prime minister of Canada, serving from 1867 to 1873 and from 1878 to 1891. The dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, he had a political career that sp ...

(1815–1891), first Prime minister of Canada, usually referred to as John A. Macdonald * John L. MacDonald (1838–1903), Scottish-American national politician *

Pirie MacDonald Ian Pirie MacDonald HonFRPS (January 27, 1867 – April 22, 1942) was an American portrait photographer, New York City civic leader, and peace advocate. He photographed over 70,000 men in the span of his career, including international heads of ...

(1867–1942), American portrait photographer *

Ramsay MacDonald James Ramsay MacDonald (; 12 October 18669 November 1937) was a British politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom, the first who belonged to the Labour Party, leading minority Labour governments for nine months in 1924 ...

(1866–1937), Scottish politician, twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom (son of "Macdonald" father and "Ramsay" mother, registered at birth as "James McDonald Ramsay") *

Ranald MacDonald Ranald MacDonald (February 3, 1824 – August 24, 1894) was the first native English-speaker to teach the English language in Japan, including educating Einosuke Moriyama, one of the chief interpreters to handle the negotiations between C ...

(1834–1894), Scottish-Chinook educator. First man to teach the English language in Japan * William Josiah MacDonald (1873–1946), American lawyer and national politician Born after 1900 *

Jeanette MacDonald Jeanette Anna MacDonald (June 18, 1903 – January 14, 1965) was an American singer and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier (''The Love Parade'', '' Love Me Tonight'', ''The Merry Widow'' and '' On ...

(1903–1965), American singer and actress * Jimmy MacDonald (sound effects artist) (1906–1991), Scottish-born American sound designer at Disney * Jack Macdonald (sportsman) (1908–1982), New Zealand rower * James Macdonald (ornithologist) (1908–2002), Scottish-Australian ornithologist *

Ian MacDonald (actor) Ian MacDonald (born Ulva Pippy, June 28, 1914 – April 11, 1978) was an American actor and producer during the 1940s and 1950s. He is perhaps best known as villain Frank Miller in ''High Noon'' (1952). Early years MacDonald was the son of ...

(1914–1978), American actor and director during the 1940s and 1960s *

Ross Macdonald Ross Macdonald was the main pseudonym used by the American-Canadian writer of crime fiction Kenneth Millar (; December 13, 1915 – July 11, 1983). He is best known for his series of hardboiled novels set in Southern California and featur ...

(1915–1983), pseudonym of the American-Canadian writer Kenneth Millar *

John D. MacDonald John Dann MacDonald (July 24, 1916December 28, 1986) was an American writer of novels and short stories. He is known for his thrillers. MacDonald was a prolific author of crime and suspense novels, many set in his adopted home of Florida. On ...

(1916–1986), American novelist * Virginia B. MacDonald (1920–2008), American politician *

Charles B. MacDonald Charles Blair Macdonald (November 14, 1855 – April 21, 1939) was a major figure in early American golf. He built the first 18-hole course in the United States, was a driving force in the founding of the United States Golf Association, won the f ...

(1922–1990), American World War II soldier and military historian * Flora MacDonald (politician) (1926–2015), Canadian politician *

Peter MacDonald (Navajo leader) Peter MacDonald (born December 16, 1928) is a Native American politician and the only four term Chairman of the Navajo Nation. MacDonald was born in Arizona, U.S. and served the U.S. Marine Corps in World War II as a Navajo Code Talker. He w ...

(born 1928), former chairman of the Navajo Nation *

Robert David MacDonald Robert David MacDonald (27 August 1929 – 19 May 2004), known as David, was a Scottish playwright, translator and theatre director. Early life Robert David MacDonald was born in Elgin, in Morayshire, Scotland on 27 August 1929, the son of a d ...

(1929–2004), Scottish playwright, director and translator *

Jeffrey R. MacDonald Jeffrey Robert MacDonald (born October 12, 1943) is an American former medical doctor and United States Army captain who was convicted in August 1979 of murdering his pregnant wife and two daughters in February 1970 while serving as an Army Spe ...

(born 1943), American murderer *

Margo MacDonald Margo Symington MacDonald (''née'' Aitken; 19 April 1943 – 4 April 2014) was a Scottish people, Scottish politician, teacher and Television presenter, broadcaster. She was the Scottish National Party (SNP) Member of Parliament (United Kingdo ...

(1943–2014), Scottish politician *

Kevin B. MacDonald Kevin B. MacDonald (born January 24, 1944) is an American antisemitic conspiracy theorist, white supremacist, and retired professor of evolutionary psychology at California State University, Long Beach (CSULB). In 2008, the CSULB academic sen ...

(born 1944), American psychology academic *

Ralph MacDonald Ralph Anthony MacDonald (March 15, 1944 – December 18, 2011) was a Trinbagonian-American percussionist, songwriter, musical arranger, record producer, steelpan virtuoso and philanthropist. His compositions include "Where Is the Love", a Gra ...

(1944–2011), American percussionist, songwriter * Linda MacDonald (born 1946), American multimedia artist and quilter Born after 1950 * Alan MacDonald (rugby union) (born 1985), Scottish rugby union player *

Andrew MacDonald (ice hockey) Andrew MacDonald (born September 7, 1986) is a Canadian professional ice hockey defenceman who is currently an unrestricted free agent. He most recently played with SC Bern in the National League (NL). He has previously played in the National Hoc ...

(born 1986), Canadian ice hockey player *

Andrew McDonald (water polo) Andrew John "Drew" McDonald (born October 19, 1955) is a former water polo player who won a silver medal for the United States at the 1984 Summer Olympics in Los Angeles, California. He attended Stanford University, where he graduated with a degr ...

(born 1955), American water polo player *

Ann-Marie MacDonald Ann-Marie MacDonald (born October 29, 1958) is a Canadian playwright, author, actress, and broadcast host who lives in Montreal, Quebec, Canada. MacDonald is the daughter of a member of Canada's military; she was born at an air force base near ...

(born 1958), Canadian playwright, novelist, actor and broadcast journalist *

Duck MacDonald Andrew "Duck" MacDonald (born September 17, 1953) is an American heavy metal/hard rock guitarist, who has played in several bands, the most well-known of which being Blue Cheer. He started playing in various bands around New York City. In 1980 ...

Andrew Duck MacDonald (born 1953), American heavy metal/hard rock guitarist *

Fiona MacDonald Fiona MacDonald MBE (born 9 December 1974) is a Scottish curler and Olympic champion, born in Paisley. She received a gold medal at the 2002 Winter Olympics in Salt Lake City.Garry MacDonald (born 1962), English footballer * Heidi MacDonald, American comic book editor and comics critic *

Jason MacDonald Jason Anthony MacDonald (born June 3, 1975) is a Canadian former mixed martial artist. A professional from 1999 until 2013, he is perhaps best remembered for his two stints in the UFC, but also fought for King of the Cage, and the Maximum Fight ...

(born 1975), Canadian mixed martial artist * Kevin MacDonald (footballer) (born 1960), Scottish footballer * Kiaran MacDonald, English boxer * Kirk MacDonald (ice hockey) (born 1983), Canadian ice hockey player *

Kirk MacDonald (politician) Kirk Douglas MacDonald is a former politician in the province of New Brunswick, Canada. Born in Stanley, New Brunswick, he earned a Bachelor of Business Administration degree from the University of New Brunswick in 1997. He was elected to t ...

(b. 1975), member of the Legislative Assembly of New Brunswick * Linda MacDonald (activist), Canadian activist against Non-State Torture *

Mike MacDonald (comedian) Michael Allan MacDonald (June 21, 1954 – March 17, 2018) was a Canadian stand-up comedian and actor. He wrote and appeared in several films, including '' Mr. Nice Guy''. He appeared in such television shows as the ''Late Show with David ...

(born 1954), Canadian comedian and actor *

Mike MacDonald (rugby union) Mike MacDonald (born November 27, 1980, in Berkeley, California, United States) is a retired rugby union footballer who previously played for Leeds Carnegie in the RFU Championship and English Premiership. He represented the United States natio ...

(born 1980), American rugby union player *

Ray MacDonald Ray MacDonald ( th, เรย์ แมคโดนัลด์; born May 21, 1977) is a Thai actor, adventurer, television presenter and host. He won Best Actor awards at the Thailand National Film Association Awards in 1997 and 1998 for his rol ...

(born 1977), Thai actor * Roddie MacDonald (born 1954), Scottish footballer * Roddy (R.S.) MacDonald (born 1956), Scottish-Australian Pipe Major and composer *

Rory MacDonald (fighter) Rory Joseph MacDonald (born July 22, 1989) is a retired Canadian mixed martial artist who most recently competed in the Welterweight division of the Professional Fighters League (PFL). Prior to signing with the PFL, MacDonald competed for Bellato ...

(born 1989), Canadian mixed martial artist *

Shaun MacDonald Shaun Benjamin MacDonald (born 17 June 1988) is a Welsh footballer who plays as a midfielder for Cymru Premier club Penybont. A product of the Swansea City youth team, he earned four caps for Wales and is the current record caps holder for the ...

(born 1988), Welsh footballer *

Tom MacDonald (rapper) Thomas MacDonald (born September 21, 1988) is a Canadian rapper, songwriter, and former professional wrestler. MacDonald first rose to prominence with the release of his song "Dear Rappers". His songs " Fake Woke", "Snowflakes", and "Brainwashed ...

(born 1988), Canadian rapper, songwriter *

William J. MacDonald (writer and producer) William MacDonald is an American film and television producer and writer. Career MacDonald has an undergraduate degree from Georgetown University and a Juris Doctor degree from the Fordham University School of Law in New York. MacDonald worked i ...

, American television writer and producer

Notable people: Macdonald surname

Born after 1700 * Allan Macdonald (1794–1862), New York politician *

Lawrence Macdonald Lawrence Macdonald sometimes Laurence Macdonald (15 February 1799 – 4 March 1878) was a Scottish sculptor. Life Macdonald was born on 15 February 1799 at Findo Gask in Perthshire, Scotland to Margaret Morison and Alexander Macdonald, a vi ...

(1799 – c. 1870), Scottish sculptor * Étienne Macdonald (1765–1840), Marshal of the Empire Born after 1800 *

John Sandfield Macdonald John Sandfield Macdonald, (December 12, 1812 – June 1, 1872) was the joint premier of the Province of Canada from 1862 to 1864. He was also the first premier of Ontario from 1867 to 1871, one of the four founding provinces created at Con ...

(1812–1872), Canadian national politician, First Premier of Ontario * Sir John A. Macdonald (1815–1891), Scottish-Canadian national politician, first Prime Minister of Canada *

Donald Alexander Macdonald Donald Alexander Macdonald (February 17, 1817 – June 10, 1896) was a Canadian politician. Born in 1817 in St. Raphael's, Upper Canada, Donald Alexander Macdonald studied at St Raphael's College under the first Catholic Bishop of Onta ...

(1817–1896), Canadian national politician * John Macdonald (Canadian politician) (1824–1890), Scottish-Canadian merchant, churchman, philanthropist and national politician * William Christoper Macdonald (1831–1917), Scottish-Canadian tobacco manufacturer, philanthropist * Captain

Murdo Stewart MacDonald Captain Murdo Stewart MacDonald (1849MacMillan, Allister (1914). Mauritius illustrated: historical and descriptive, commercial and industrial facts, figures, & resources'. London : W.H. & L. Collingridge. Reprint: Asian Educational Services, 2000. ...

(1852–1938), Scottish sailor, the last Sea Baron, Lloyd's Surveyor of Shipping *

Charles B. Macdonald Charles Blair Macdonald (November 14, 1855 – April 21, 1939) was a major figure in early American golf. He built the first 18-hole course in the United States, was a driving force in the founding of the United States Golf Association, won the f ...

(1855–1939), American golfer, introduced the first 18-hole course in the United States * C. Leslie Macdonald (1856–1929), Australian racehorse owner * Alexander Macdonald (New York politician) (1867–1935), American politician and conservationist * John Smyth Macdonald (1867–1941), British physiologist *

Harry Macdonough John Scantlebury Macdonald (May 30, 1871 – September 26, 1931) was a Canadian-born singer of Irish and Scottish descent, and recording executive. Under the pseudonym Harry Macdonough, he was one of the most prolific and popular tenors during ...

(born John Macdonald, 1871–1931), Canadian singer and recording executive *

John Alexander Macdonald (Prince Edward Island politician) John Alexander MacDonald (October 21, 1838 – 1905) was a farmer and political figure in Prince Edward Island. He represented 3rd Prince in the Legislative Assembly of Prince Edward Island from 1870 to 1900 as a Conservative member. He wa ...

(1874–1948), Canadian national politician *

William Alexander Macdonald William Alexander Macdonald (1860 – October 1, 1946) was a Manitoba lawyer and politician and British Columbia judge. He briefly served as leader of the Manitoba Conservatives during the 1890s. He was born in St. Catharines, Ontario, the son ...

(

fl. ''Floruit'' (; abbreviated fl. or occasionally flor.; from Latin for "they flourished") denotes a date or period during which a person was known to have been alive or active. In English, the unabbreviated word may also be used as a noun indicatin ...

1890s), Canadian provincial politician *

William Ross Macdonald William Ross Macdonald (December 25, 1891 – May 28, 1976), served as the 21st Lieutenant Governor of Ontario from 1968 to 1974, and as 22nd Speaker of the House of Commons of Canada from 1949 to 1953. Early life Macdonald was born in ...

(1891–1976), Canadian national politician *

Ab Macdonald Albert "Ab" Macdonald (1896 – after 1967), often McDonald, was a South Australian horse trainer. Among the horses he trained were winners of the Adelaide Cup, VRC Oaks, AJC Oaks and SA Derby. History Macdonald was born in Orroroo, South Austr ...

Albert Macdonald (1896 – after 1967), South Australian horse trainer Born after 1900 * Archibald 'Archie' James Florence Macdonald (1904–1983), British Liberal MP * Barbara Macdonald (1913–2000), American social worker, lesbian feminist and ageism activist *

Dwight Macdonald Dwight Macdonald (March 24, 1906 – December 19, 1982) was an American writer, editor, film critic, social critic, literary critic, philosopher, and activist. Macdonald was a member of the New York Intellectuals and editor of their leftist mag ...

(1906–1982), American writer, editor, social critic, philosopher, and political radical *

Eleanor Josephine Macdonald Eleanor Josephine Macdonald (4 March 1906 – 26 July 2007) was a pioneer American cancer epidemiologist and cancer researcher influenced and mentored by Edwin Bidwell Wilson and Shields Warren. One of the earliest proponents of the idea that ca ...

(1906–2007), pioneer American cancer epidemiologist and cancer researcher *

John Michael Macdonald John Michael Macdonald (May 3, 1906 – June 20, 1997) was a Canadian politician. Early life Born in North Sydney, Nova Scotia, the son of Joseph Macdonald and Theresa MacDonald,

(1906–1997), Canadian national politician * Jack Macdonald (sportsman) (1908–1982), New Zealand rower *

James David Macdonald (ornithologist) James David Macdonald FLS FZS FIB (3 October 1908 – 17 September 2002) was a Scottish-Australian ornithologist and ornithological writer. A traditional museum ornithologist, he did much to build up the collections of African and Australian bi ...

(1908–2002), British and Australian ornithologist *

Margaret Mary Macdonald Margaret Mary Macdonald was a Canadian politician. On May 29, 1961 she became the first woman to represent Prince Edward Island in the House of Commons of Canada. She first won representation for the electoral district of King's at the House o ...

(1910–1968), Canadian national politician *

Callum Macdonald Callum Macdonald (1912–1999), was a Scottish printer and publisher born in Breaclete on the island of Great Bernera. He was educated in Stornoway and read History at the University of Edinburgh. After service in the Royal Air Force in World ...

(1912–1999), Scottish publisher who specialised in poetry * James David Macdonald (politician) (1922–1995), Canadian politician *

Ian G. Macdonald Ian Grant Macdonald (born 11 October 1928 in London, England) is a British mathematician known for his contributions to symmetric functions, special functions, Lie algebra theory and other aspects of algebra, algebraic combinatorics, and combi ...

(born 1928), English mathematician, a prominent contributor to algebraic combinatorics *

Ian Macdonald (Australian politician) Ian Douglas Macdonald (born 29 November 1945) is a former Australian politician who served as a Senator for Queensland from 1990 to 2019, representing the Liberal Party. He was Minister for Regional Services, Territories and Local Government ...

(born 1945), Australian national politician *

Ian Macdonald (New South Wales politician) Ian Michael Macdonald (born 7 March 1949) is a former Australian politician and currently undergoing court proceedings and was a member of the New South Wales Legislative Council from 1988 to 2010 representing the Labor Party. Between 2003 a ...

(born 1949), Australian state politician Born after 1950 * Dame Mary Macdonald (born 1950), British head teacher, honoured for services to education * Amy MacDonald (writer) (born 1951), American writer and journalist * Ken Macdonald (born 1953), British barrister, Director of Public Prosecutions and Head of the Crown Prosecution Service 2003–2008 *

Norm Macdonald Norman Gene MacdonaldThe capitalization of Norm Macdonald's surname has been inconsistently reported in publications such as ''TV Guide''. Books that discuss him, such as ''Shales'' (2003) and Crawford' (2000), as well as other sources such as ...

(1959–2021), Canadian comedian, writer and actor * Sarah Macdonald (journalist) (born 1966), Australian journalist *

Kevin Macdonald (director) Kevin Macdonald (born 28 October 1967) is a Scottish director. His films include '' One Day in September'' (1999), a documentary about the 1972 murder of 11 Israeli athletes, which won him the Academy Award for Best Documentary Feature, the c ...

(born 1967), Scottish film director (''The Last King of Scotland'', ''Touching the Void'') * Shona Macdonald (born 1969), Scottish artist * Shauna MacDonald (Canadian actress) (born 1970), Canadian actress and filmmaker *

Kelly Macdonald Kelly Macdonald (born 23 February 1976) is a Scottish actress. She is known for her roles in '' Trainspotting'' (1996), '' Gosford Park'' (2001), '' Intermission'' (2003), '' Nanny McPhee'' (2005), '' No Country for Old Men'' (2007), ''Boardwa ...

(born 1976), Scottish actress *

Shauna Macdonald (Scottish actress) Shauna Macdonald (born 26 April 1981) is a Scottish actress. She began her career starring in '' The Debt Collector'' (1999). She then had her breakthrough starring as Sam Buxton in the television series '' Spooks'' (2003–2004). After departi ...

(born 1981), Scottish stage, television and film actress *

Amy Macdonald Amy Elizabeth Macdonald (born 25 August 1987) is a Scottish singer-songwriter. In 2007, she released her debut studio album, '' This Is the Life'', which respectively produced the singles " Mr. Rock & Roll" and " This Is the Life"; the latter ...

(born 1987), Scottish singer/songwriter *

(born 1989), bassist for The 1975 * Nene Macdonald (born 1994), Papua New Guinean Rugby League player *

Louise Macdonald Louise Macdonald, OBE, FRSE became the National Director of the Institute of Directors (IOD) in Scotland, and was made a Fellow of the Royal Society of Edinburgh (RSE) in 2021. Her appointment has made her the first female to hold the role of ...

(active 2020s), charity leader in Scotland, national director of the Institute of Directors in Scotland

Notable people: McDonald surname

Born after 1800 * Ambrose Stephen McDonald (1845–1913), American businessman and politician * Eugene F. McDonald (1886–1958), American entrepreneur, founder of Zenith Radio *

Harl McDonald Harl McDonald (July 27, 1899 - March 30, 1955) was an American composer, conductor, pianist and teacher. McDonald was born in Boulder, Colorado, and studied at the University of California, Berkeley, the University of Redlands, and the Leipzig Con ...

(1899–1955), American composer, pianist, conductor and teacher *

Jack McDonald (ice hockey, born 1887) Patrick John McDonald (February 28, 1887 – January 24, 1958) was a Canadians, Canadian professional ice hockey player who played from 1905 until 1922, including eleven seasons in the National Hockey Association/National Hockey League for th ...

(died 1958), Canadian ice hockey player * James Grover McDonald (1886–1964), American diplomat, first Ambassador to Israel * William Jesse McDonald (1852–1918), leader of the

Texas Ranger Division The Texas Ranger Division, commonly called the Texas Rangers and also known as ''Los Diablos Tejanos'' (), is an investigative law enforcement agency with statewide jurisdiction in the US state of Texas. It is based in the capital city of A ...

and bodyguard to Theodore Roosevelt and Woodrow Wilson * John McDonald (of Dromod) (1846 – aft. 1911), Irish cultural nationalist poet *

Winifred McDonald Winifred Genevieve McDonald (June 8, 1888 – February 23, 1976) was an American politician and teacher who served as Secretary of the State of Connecticut from 1949 to 1951. A Democrat from Waterbury, she ousted Republican incumbent Frances ...

(1888–1976), Secretary of the State of Connecticut Born after 1900 *

Albert McDonald Albert Clyde McDonald (September 15, 1930 – July 6, 2014) was an American politician and member of the Democratic Party. Born in Dayton, Tennessee, McDonald graduated from Auburn University. McDonald raised soy beans and cotton on his farm ...

(1930–2014), American politician * Sir

Arthur McDonald Air Marshal Sir Arthur William Baynes McDonald, (14 June 1903 – 26 July 1996) was a senior Royal Air Force officer. He served as Commander-in-Chief of the Royal Pakistan Air Force from 1955 to 1957. Early life McDonald was born on 14 June ...

(1903–1996), British West Indian-English Royal Air Force Air Marshal * Barry McDonald (rugby union) (1940–2020), Australian rugby union player *

Country Joe McDonald Joseph Allen "Country Joe" McDonald (born January 1, 1942) is an American musician who was the lead singer of the 1960s psychedelic rock group Country Joe and the Fish.Richard Brenneman"Country Joe McDonald Revives Anti-War Anthem", '' Berkeley ...

(born 1942), American musician and activist * Janet McDonald (mathematician) (1905–2006), American mathematician, Vassar College professor emerita * John P. McDonald (1922–1993), American librarian * K. J. McDonald (1930–2012), American politician *

Ian McDonald (musician) Ian Richard McDonald (25 June 1946 – 9 February 2022) was an English multi-instrumentalist, best known as a founding member of the progressive rock band King Crimson in 1968, as well as the hard rock band Foreigner in 1976. McDonald began ...

(born 1946), English rock musician *

Larry McDonald Lawrence Patton McDonald (April 1, 1935 – September 1, 1983) was an American politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Georgia's 7th congressional district as a Democrat from 1975 until he was killed ...

(1935–1983), member of the United States House of Representatives * Laurier McDonald (born 1931), Texas Attorney, historian, author * Mac McDonald (born 1949), American actor *

Marie McDonald Marie McDonald (born Cora Marie Frye, July 6, 1923 – October 21, 1965) was an American singer and actress known as "The Body Beautiful" and later nicknamed "The Body". Early life Born in Burgin, Kentucky, McDonald was the daughter of Evertt ...

(1923–1965), American film actress * Martha McDonald (born 1964), American artist * Maurice McDonald (1902–1971), American fast food pioneer and co-founder of McDonald's * Parker Lee McDonald (1924–2017), American judge *

Richard McDonald Richard McDonald (February 1909 – July 14, 1998) and Maurice McDonald (1902 – December 11, 1971), together known as the McDonald Brothers, were American entrepreneurs who founded the fast food company McDonald's. They opened the original Mc ...

(1909–1998), American fast food pioneer and co-founder of McDonald's * Roy McDonald (poet) (1937-2018), Canadian poet and busker *

Roy McDonald (politician) Roy J. McDonald (born April 12, 1947) is a Republican politician and former member of the New York State Legislature who represented the 43rd District in the New York State Senate and Districts 100 and 112 in the New York State Assembly. McDona ...

(born 1946), New York State Senator * Sandy McDonald (1937–2016), Scottish Minister of the Church of Scotland * Susan Marshall McDonald (1918–1992), philatelist of Ohio * Sir

Trevor McDonald Sir Trevor McDonald (born George McDonald; 16 August 1939) is a Trinidadian- British newsreader and journalist, best known for his career as a news presenter with ITN. McDonald was knighted in 1999 for his services to journalism. Career ...

(born George McDonald, 1939), Trinidadian-born British news presenter * W. Ian McDonald (1933–2006), New Zealand neurologist, academic, and specialist in multiple sclerosis * Walt McDonald (1934-2022), American poet, academic, Poet Laureate of Texas *

Wesley L. McDonald Wesley Lee McDonald (July 6, 1924February 8, 2009) was a United States Navy admiral and naval aviator. He led the first air strike against North Vietnam after the Gulf of Tonkin incident and was the commander in charge of Operation Urgent Fury, t ...

(1924–2009), United States Navy Four Star Admiral and naval aviator * Whitey McDonald (1902–1956), Canadian soccer player * William Joseph McDonald (1904–1989), Irish-born American Catholic bishop Born after 1950 *

Amy McDonald (Scottish footballer) Amy McDonald (born 17 October 1985) is a Scottish football coach and former player for the Scotland national team as well as Hamilton Athletic, Kilmarnock, Queen's Park, Celtic and Glasgow City in the Scottish Women's Premier League. After ...

(born 1985), Scottish football player/coach *

Ariel McDonald Ariel Rene McDonald (born January 5, 1972) is an American-Slovenian retired professional basketball player. He played at the point guard position. A high quality floor general who was the 2000 Israeli Basketball Premier League MVP, FIBA SuproLeagu ...

(born 1972), American-Slovenian basketball player *

Audra McDonald Audra Ann McDonald (born July 3, 1970) is an American actress and singer. Primarily known for her work on the Broadway stage, she has won six Tony Awards, more performance wins than any other actor, and is the only person to win in all four act ...

(born 1970), American actress and singer * Andy McDonald (born 1958), British Labour Party politician * Andy McDonald (born 1977), Canadian ice hockey player * Barry McDonald (gymnast) (born 1971), Irish gymnast * Chris McDonald (footballer) (born 1975), Scottish footballer *

Christopher McDonald (actor) Christopher McDonald (born February 15, 1955) is an American film, television, theatre and voice actor. McDonald is best known for playing the villainous professional golfer Shooter McGavin in the 1996 comedy ''Happy Gilmore''. Other notable ...

(born 1955), American actor *

Cole McDonald Cole McDonald (born May 20, 1998) is an American football quarterback for the Houston Roughnecks of the XFL. He most recently played for the Toronto Argonauts of the Canadian Football League (CFL). He played college football at Hawaii and was ...

(born 1998), American football player * Elizabeth McDonald (born 1985), American artist *

Hugh McDonald (American musician) Hugh John McDonald (born December 28, 1950) is an American musician who is best known for his session work and for being the current bassist and backup singer of American rock band Bon Jovi, which he joined as an unofficial band member in Nov ...

(born 1950), American musician, bassist *

Clayton McDonald Clayton Rodney McDonald (born 26 December 1988) is an English former professional footballer who played as a defender. He graduated out of the Manchester City youth academy in 2008, and spent the 2008–09 season on loan at League Two sides M ...

(born 1988), English footballer *

Daniel McDonald (actor) Daniel McDonald (July 30, 1960 – February 15, 2007) was an American actor who guest-starred in many TV shows such as '' CSI: Miami'', ''Law & Order'', ''Murder, She Wrote'' and ''Sex and the City''. He was also involved in Broadway, performing ...

(1960–2007), American actor *

David Tennant David John Tennant (''né'' McDonald; born 18 April 1971) is a Scottish actor. He rose to fame for his role as the tenth incarnation of the Doctor (2005–2010 and 2013) in the BBC science-fiction TV show ''Doctor Who'', reprising the rol ...

(born David John McDonald, 1971), Scottish actor *

Ian McDonald (author) Ian McDonald (born 1960) is a British science fiction novelist, living in Belfast. His themes include nanotechnology, postcyberpunk settings, and the impact of rapid social and technological change on non-Western societies. Early life Ian McDo ...

(born 1960), English science fiction novelist (residence in Northern Ireland) * Joe McDonald (politician) (born 1966), American politician * John McDonald (born 1974), American baseball player * Kathryn McDonald American medical scientist *

Kevin McDonald Kevin Hamilton McDonald (born May 16, 1961) is a Canadian actor, voice actor and comedian. He is a member of the comedy troupe The Kids in the Hall, who have appeared together in a number of stage, television and film productions, most notably th ...

(born 1961), Canadian comedian and actor * Kevin McDonald (footballer, born 1985), English footballer *

Kevin McDonald (footballer, born 1988) Kevin David McDonald (born 4 November 1988) is a Scottish professional footballer who plays as a midfielder for club Exeter City. He began his career with Dundee before moving to England to sign for Burnley, for whom he played one season in t ...

, Scottish footballer * Lanny McDonald (born 1953), Canadian ice hockey player *

Mackenzie McDonald Michael Mackenzie Lowe "Mackie" McDonald (born April 16, 1995) is an American professional tennis player. He reached a career-high singles ranking of world No. 48 on 1 August 2022, and No. 90 in doubles on 17 October 2022. He won the 2016 NCAA ...

(born 1995), American tennis player *

Mark McDonald (politician) Mark McDonald (born 7 June 1980) is a Scottish politician who was the Member of the Scottish Parliament (MSP) for the Aberdeen Donside constituency from 2013 to 2021, having previously represented the North East Scotland region between 5 May ...

(born 1980), Scottish politician *

Margaret McDonald (voice actress) Margaret Allison "Meg" McDonald (born June 12, 1988) is an American voice actress working for Sentai Filmworks and Funimation. Some of McDonald's major roles in anime are Rikka Takanashi from the ''Love, Chunibyo & Other Delusions'' series, Miho ...

(born 1988), American voice actress * Meg McDonald (footballer) (born 1991), Australian rules footballer *

Michael McDonald (singer) Michael McDonald (born February 12, 1952) is an American singer, keyboardist and songwriter known for his distinctive, soulful voice and as a member of the bands the Doobie Brothers (1975–1982, 1987, 2019–present) and Steely Dan (1973– ...

(born 1952), American singer * Mickey McDonald (born 1995), American baseball player *

Miriam McDonald Miriam Katherine McDonald (born July 26, 1987) is a Canadian actress best known for playing the lead role Emma Nelson on the television series '' Degrassi: The Next Generation''. Career McDonald focused on acting, playing a role in the serie ...

(born 1987), Canadian actress *

Neil McDonald (footballer) Neil Raymond McDonald (born 2 November 1965) is a football manager, coach and former player, in the right back and midfield positions. He is currently assistant manager of Barrow. During his career he played for the England under 21 team. As ...

(born 1965), English footballer and coach *

Rod McDonald (footballer, born 1967) Rodney McDonald (born 20 March 1966) is an English former professional footballer. His sons, Clayton and Rod are also professional footballers. In 1996, during his spell playing for Partick Thistle, McDonald received a yellow card for makin ...

, English footballer *

Rod McDonald (footballer, born 1992) Rodney Troy McDonald (born 11 April 1992) is an English professional footballer who plays as a defender for club Crewe Alexandra. Career Stoke City McDonald joined Stoke City's academy from Manchester City's academy in 2005. He became a re ...

, English footballer *

Scott McDonald Scott Douglas McDonald (born 21 August 1983) is an Australian former professional footballer and is the current head coach for National Premier Leagues club Gold Coast Knights. Originally a striker, McDonald could also play as an attacking mi ...

(born 1983), Australian footballer *

Shawn McDonald Shawn Michael McDonald (born September 4, 1977) is a Contemporary Christian music Contemporary Christian music, also known as CCM, Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music is a genre of modern popular music, and an aspect of Chri ...

(born 1978), American Christian singer, songwriter and guitarist * Simon McDonald (diplomat) (born 1961), British diplomat

Pseudonyms

* Abby McDonald, pen-name of British author Abigal Hass *

Ian MacDonald Ian MacCormick (known by the pseudonym Ian MacDonald; 3 October 1948 – 20 August 2003) was a British music critic and author, best known for both '' Revolution in the Head'', his critical history of the Beatles which borrowed techniques from ...

(born Ian MacCormick, 1948–2003), British music critic and author

Given names

Macdonald Carey Edward Macdonald Carey (March 15, 1913 – March 21, 1994) was an American actor, best known for his role as the patriarch Dr. Tom Horton on NBC's soap opera ''Days of Our Lives''. For almost three decades, he was the show's central cast member. ...

(1913–1994), American actor

Fictional characters

* Ronald "Mac" McDonald, character in ''

It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia ''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'' is an American sitcom created by Rob McElhenney and developed by McElhenney and Glenn Howerton that premiered on August 4, 2005 on FX and later FXX beginning with the ninth season in 2013. It stars Char ...

'' *

Ronald McDonald Ronald McDonald is a clown character used as the primary mascot of the McDonald's fast-food restaurant chain. He inhabits the fictional world of McDonaldland, with his friends Mayor McCheese, the Hamburglar, Grimace, Birdie the Early Bird and ...

, international fast-food franchise clown mascot and spokesman * Old MacDonald, title character of the traditional children's song ''

Old MacDonald Had a Farm "Old MacDonald Had a Farm" (sometimes shortened to Old MacDonald) is a traditional children's song and nursery rhyme about a farmer and the various animals he keeps. Each verse of the song changes the name of the animal and its respective noise ...

'' * Several characters from the British soap opera ''

Coronation Street ''Coronation Street'' is an English soap opera created by Granada Television and shown on ITV since 9 December 1960. The programme centres around a cobbled, terraced street in Weatherfield, a fictional town based on inner-city Salford. Orig ...

'', including: ** Amy McDonald ** Andy McDonald **

Becky McDonald Rebecca McDonald (also Granger) is a fictional character from the British soap opera '' Coronation Street'', played by Katherine Kelly. Becky was created by producer Tony Wood, and made her debut in the episode airing on 5 February 2006. Kelly w ...

** Karen McDonald ** Jim McDonald ** Liz McDonald **

Ruairi McDonald '' Coronation Street'' is a British soap opera first broadcast on 9 December 1960. The following is a list of characters introduced in 2017, by order of first appearance. All characters are introduced by series producer Kate Oates. The first not ...

** Steve McDonald ** Tracy McDonald **

Vicky McDonald The following is a list of characters that first appeared in the ITV soap opera '' Coronation Street'' in 1990, by order of first appearance. Vicky McDonald Vicky Arden (also McDonald) was played by Helen Warburton in 1990 and Chloe Newsome ...

References

{{surname Anglicised Scottish Gaelic-language surnames Scottish surnames English-language surnames Patronymic surnames Surnames from given names