MacDonald, Macdonald, and McDonald are surnames of both Irish and Scottish origin. In the
Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic (, ; Endonym and exonym, endonym: ), also known as Scots Gaelic or simply Gaelic, is a Celtic language native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a member of the Goidelic language, Goidelic branch of Celtic, Scottish Gaelic, alongs ...
patronymic
A patronymic, or patronym, is a component of a personal name based on the given name of one's father, grandfather (more specifically an avonymic), or an earlier male ancestor. It is the male equivalent of a matronymic.
Patronymics are used, b ...
, referring to an ancestor with given name Donald.
Origins and variants
The surname is an
Anglicised
Anglicisation or anglicization is a form of cultural assimilation whereby something non-English becomes assimilated into or influenced by the culture of England. It can be sociocultural, in which a non-English place adopts the English language ...
form of the
Scottish Gaelic
Scottish Gaelic (, ; Endonym and exonym, endonym: ), also known as Scots Gaelic or simply Gaelic, is a Celtic language native to the Gaels of Scotland. As a member of the Goidelic language, Goidelic branch of Celtic, Scottish Gaelic, alongs ...
and
Irish Gaelic
Irish (Standard Irish: ), also known as Irish Gaelic or simply Gaelic ( ), is a Celtic language of the Indo-European language family. It is a member of the Goidelic languages of the Insular Celtic sub branch of the family and is indigeno ...
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 (more specifically an avonymic), or an earlier male ancestor. It is the male equivalent of a matronymic.
Patronymics are used, ...
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 Britain and Ireland and to a lesser extent Scandinavia in the Early Middle Ages, with a particular emphasis on interaction and comp ...
, the Gaelic personal name is probably a borrowing from the
British Celtic
The Brittonic languages (also Brythonic or British Celtic; ; ; and ) form one of the two branches of the Insular Celtic languages; the other is Goidelic. It comprises the extant languages Breton, Cornish, and Welsh. The name ''Brythonic'' wa ...
.
In the context of
Scottish
Scottish usually refers to something of, from, or related to Scotland, including:
*Scottish Gaelic, a Celtic Goidelic language of the Indo-European language family native to Scotland
*Scottish English
*Scottish national identity, the Scottish ide ...
clans
A clan is a group of people united by actual or perceived kinship
and descent. Even if lineage details are unknown, a clan may claim descent from a founding member or apical ancestor who serves as a symbol of the clan's unity. Many societie ...
, the various forms of the name refer to one of the largest clans,
Clan Donald
Clan Donald, also known as Clan MacDonald or Clan McDonald ( ), is a Highland Scottish clan and one of the largest Scottish clans. Historically the chiefs of the Clan Donald held the title of Lord of the Isles until 1493 and two of those chiefs a ...
. 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
The Gallowglass (also spelled galloglass, gallowglas or galloglas; from meaning "foreign warriors") were a class of elite mercenary warriors who were principally members of the Norse-Gaels, Norse-Gaelic clans of Ireland and Scotland between th ...
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 a ceremonial county in North West England. It is bordered by Cumbria to the north, North Yorkshire and West Yorkshire to the east, Greater Manchester and Merseyside to the south, and the Irish Sea to ...
and
Yorkshire
Yorkshire ( ) is an area of Northern England which was History of Yorkshire, historically a county. Despite no longer being used for administration, Yorkshire retains a strong regional identity. The county was named after its county town, the ...
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. It borders Lake Erie to the north, Pennsylvania to the east, West Virginia to the southeast, Kentucky to the southwest, Indiana to the ...
-
Pennsylvania
Pennsylvania, officially the Commonwealth of Pennsylvania, is a U.S. state, state spanning the Mid-Atlantic (United States), Mid-Atlantic, Northeastern United States, Northeastern, Appalachian, and Great Lakes region, Great Lakes regions o ...
-
New York
New York most commonly refers to:
* New York (state), a state in the northeastern United States
* New York City, the most populous city in the United States, located in the state of New York
New York may also refer to:
Places United Kingdom
* ...
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 branc ...
(died c. 1293), son of Domhnall mac Raghnaill, and 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 apparent ...
(died 1314 × 1318/c. 1330), Chief of Clan Donald and ally of Robert the Bruce
*
John of Islay, Lord of the Isles
John of Islay (or John MacDonald) ( or ) (died 1386) was the lord of the Isles (1336–1386) and chief of Clan Donald. In 1336, he styled himself ''Dominus Insularum'' ('Lord of the Isles'), although this was not the first ever recorded instan ...
(died 1386), First Lord of the Isles and Chief of Clan Donald
*
Donald of Islay, Lord of the Isles
Donald, Lord of the Isles (; 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 under Donald's fath ...
(died 1423), Second Lord of the Isles
*
Alexander of Islay, Earl of Ross
Alexander of Islay or Alexander MacDonald (died 1449; ) was a medieval Scottish nobleman who succeeded his father Domhnall of Islay as Lord of the Isles (1423–1449), later rising to the rank of Earl of Ross (1436–49). His lively career, ...
(died 1449), Third Lord of the Isles
Born after 1400
*
John of Islay, Earl of Ross
John of Islay (or John MacDonald) (1434–1503), Earl of Ross, fourth (and last) Lord of the Isles, and ''Mac Domhnaill'' (chief of Clan Donald), was a pivotal figure in late medieval Scotland: specifically in the struggle for power with Jam ...
(1434–1503), or "John MacDonald", Scottish ruler, Fourth
Lord of the Isles
Lord of the Isles or King of the Isles
( or ; ) is a title of nobility in the Baronage of Scotland with historical roots that go back beyond the Kingdom of Scotland. It began with Somerled in the 12th century and thereafter the title was ...
*
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 the ...
(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 ( – 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 the I ...
(1610–1647), or Sir Alexander MacDonald, Scottish/Irish military commander
Born after 1700
*
Flora MacDonald
Flora MacDonald (1722 – 5 March 1790) is best known for helping Charles Edward Stuart evade government troops after the Battle of Culloden in April 1746. Her family had generally backed the government during the 1745 Rising, and MacDonald l ...
(1722–1790), Jacobite patriot who protected Bonnie Prince Charlie after the 1746 Battle of Culloden
*
Jacques MacDonald
Jacques or Jacq 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 one hundred identified noble families related t ...
(1765–1840), 1st Duke of Taranto, French military officer and Marshal of the Empire
*
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 Cl ...
(1771–1866), Scottish emigrant to Canada, early partner in the North West Company
* John Small MacDonald (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.
Life
She was born near Balmoral Castle in Scotland. She married the butler John McDonald (d. 1865 ...
George MacDonald
George MacDonald (10 December 1824 – 18 September 1905) was a Scottish author, poet and Christian Congregational minister. He became a pioneering figure in the field of modern fantasy literature and the mentor of fellow-writer Lewis Carrol ...
(1824–1905), Scottish-English author, poet, and Christian minister
*
Hector MacDonald
Major-general (United Kingdom), Major-General Sir Hector Archibald MacDonald, (; 4 March 1853 – 25 March 1903), also known as Fighting Mac, was a British Army soldier.
The son of a croft (land), crofter, MacDonald left school before he ...
(1853–1903), Scottish Major-General of the British Army under Lord Kitchener
*
John Alexander Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald (10 or 11January 18156June 1891) was the first prime minister of Canada, serving from 1867 to 1873 and from 1878 until his death in 1891. He was the dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, and had a political ...
(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 Royal Photographic Society, HonFRPS (January 27, 1867 – April 22, 1942) was an American Portrait photography, portrait photographer, New York City civic leader, and peace advocate. He photographed over 70,000 men in the span ...
(1867–1942), American portrait photographer
*
Ramsay MacDonald
James Ramsay MacDonald (; 12 October 18669 November 1937) was a British statesman and politician who served as Prime Minister of the United Kingdom. The first two of his governments belonged to the Labour Party (UK), Labour Party, where he led ...
(1866–1937), Scottish politician, twice Prime Minister of the United Kingdom
*
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
* William Myron MacDonald (1890–1958), American-Canadian military pilot
Jeanette MacDonald
Jeanette Anna MacDonald (June 18, 1903 – January 14, 1965) was an American soprano and actress best remembered for her musical films of the 1930s with Maurice Chevalier (''The Love Parade'', ''Love Me Tonight'', ''The Merry Widow (1934 film) ...
(1903–1965), American singer and actress
*
Jimmy MacDonald (sound effects artist)
John James MacDonald (May 19, 1906 – February 1, 1991) was an American foley artist and voice actor. He was the original head of the Disney sound-effects department and was also the second official voice of Mickey Mouse from 1947 to 1976 after ...
(1906–1991), Scottish-born American sound designer at Disney
*
James 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), Scottish-Australian ornithologist
*
Ian MacDonald (actor)
Ian MacDonald (born Ulva W. 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 ...
(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 (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 ...
(1922–1990), American World War II soldier and military historian
* Raymond M. MacDonald (1923–2015), American politician
*
Flora MacDonald (politician)
Flora Isabel MacDonald (June 3, 1926 – July 26, 2015) was a Canadians, Canadian politician and humanitarian. Canada's first female Minister of Foreign Affairs (Canada), foreign minister, she was also one of the first women to vie for leaders ...
(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 was ...
(born 1928), former chairman of the Navajo Nation
*
Robert David MacDonald
Robert David MacDonald (27 August 1929 – 19 May 2004) 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 doctor and a toba ...
(1929–2004), Scottish playwright, director and translator
* Jeffrey R. MacDonald (born 1943), American murderer
*
Margo MacDonald
Margo Symington MacDonald (''née'' Aitken; 19 April 1943 – 4 April 2014) was a Scottish politician, teacher and broadcaster. She was the Scottish National Party (SNP) Member of Parliament (MP) for Glasgow Govan from 1973 to 1974 and was D ...
(1943–2014), Scottish politician
* Kevin B. MacDonald (born 1944), American psychology academic
*
Ralph MacDonald
Ralph Anthony MacDonald (March 15, 1944 – December 18, 2011) was an American percussionist, steelpan virtuoso, songwriter, musical arranger, and record producer.
His compositions include " Where Is the Love", a Grammy Award winner for the due ...
(1944–2011), American percussionist, songwriter
* Linda MacDonald (born 1946), American multimedia artist and quilter
*
L. Ian MacDonald
L. (Lawrence) Ian MacDonald (born 1947) is a Canadians, Canadian writer, columnist, broadcaster, public speaker, and diplomat.
(born 1947), Canadian author, columnist, broadcaster, and diplomat
Born after 1950
*
Alan MacDonald (rugby union)
Alan Robin MacDonald (born 21 October 1985) is a Scottish rugby union player. MacDonald, who is a flanker, and previously played his club rugby for Edinburgh. He made his debut for Scotland against Argentina
Argentina, officially the A ...
(born 1985), Scottish rugby union player
*
Andrew MacDonald (ice hockey)
Andrew MacDonald (born September 7, 1986) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey defenceman. In the National Hockey League (NHL), he played for the New York Islanders and Philadelphia Flyers, serving as an alternate captain for both franch ...
(born 1986), Canadian ice hockey player
* Andrew McDonald (water polo) (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 Toronto, Ontario.
Life and career
MacDonald is the daughter of a member of Canada's military; she was born at an air force ...
(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 as Fiona Brown) 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
Heidi MacDonald (born November 15) is an American writer and editor of comic books based in New York City. She runs the comics industry news blog '' The Beat''.
Career
MacDonald is a former editor for DC Comics' Vertigo imprint and ''Disney Ad ...
, American comic book editor and comics critic
* Jacob MacDonald (born 1993), American ice hockey player
*
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
*
Katelyn MacDonald
Caitlin () is a feminine given name of Irish origin. Historically, the Irish name Caitlín was anglicized as Cathleen or Kathleen. In the 1970s, however, non-Irish speakers began pronouncing the name according to English spelling rules as , w ...
, American bellringer and TikToker
*
Kevin MacDonald (footballer)
Kevin Duncan MacDonald (born 22 November 1960) is a Scottish former footballer who is the former manager of Swindon Town and caretaker manager of Aston Villa on three occasions. As a player MacDonald was a member of the Liverpool "double" winnin ...
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 the Le ...
(born 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 ...
(1954–2018), Canadian comedian and actor
* Mike MacDonald (rugby union) (born 1980), American rugby union player
* Ray MacDonald (born 1977), Thai actor, adventurer, television presenter, host
* Roddie MacDonald (born 1954), Scottish footballer
* Roddy (R.S.) MacDonald (born 1956), Scottish-Australian Pipe Major and composer
*
Rory MacDonald (fighter)
Rory MacDonald (born July 22, 1989) is a Canadian former 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 Bellator MMA, w ...
(born 1989), Canadian mixed martial artist
* Shaun MacDonald (born 1988), Welsh footballer
*
Tom MacDonald (rapper)
Thomas MacDonald (born September 21, 1988) is a Canadian rapper, singer-songwriter, record producer and former professional wrestler. He is known for his right-wing lyrics and fanbase. His music has been characterized as "MAGA rap", a Trumpi ...
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, a nurse, and Alexander Macdo ...
(1799 – c. 1870), Scottish sculptor
*
Étienne Macdonald
Étienne Jacques-Joseph-Alexandre Macdonald,''Le Petit Robert des noms propres'', French edition, 2018, entry « Macdonald (Étienne Jacques Joseph Alexandre) ». As a French citizen, his name has been registered as "Macdonald", without an uper ...
(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 Can ...
(1812–1872), Canadian national politician, First Premier of Ontario
* Sir
John A. Macdonald
Sir John Alexander Macdonald (10 or 11January 18156June 1891) was the first prime minister of Canada, serving from 1867 to 1873 and from 1878 until his death in 1891. He was the dominant figure of Canadian Confederation, and had a political ...
(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)
John Macdonald (December 27, 1824 – February 4, 1890) was a Canadian merchant, churchman, philanthropist, and politician in the late 19th century in Toronto. He was a major patron of YMCA and the Toronto General Hospital. In 1860, he bui ...
(1824–1890), Scottish-Canadian merchant, churchman, philanthropist
* William Christoper Macdonald (1831–1917), Scottish-Canadian tobacco manufacturer, philanthropist
* Captain Murdo Stewart MacDonald (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 ...
(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
John Smyth Macdonald FRS (1867, Dublin – 29 March 1941) was a British physiologist.
Early life and education
Macdonald was born in Dublin, Ireland, in 1867 to George Macdonald, a tailor, and his wife, Margaret, née Smyth. The family soon move ...
fl.
''Floruit'' ( ; usually abbreviated fl. or occasionally flor.; from Latin for '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 indic ...
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 Macdonald (1896 – after 1967), South Australian horse trainer
Dwight Macdonald
Dwight Macdonald (March 24, 1906 – December 19, 1982) was an American writer, critic, philosopher, and activist. Macdonald was a member of the New York Intellectuals and editor of their leftist magazine '' Partisan Review'' for six years. He ...
(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 canc ...
(1906–2007), pioneer American cancer epidemiologist and cancer researcher
* John Michael Macdonald (1906–1997), Canadian national politician
*
Jack Macdonald (sportsman)
John Hoani Macdonald (26 October 1907 – 1 January 1982) was a New Zealand sportsman. He competed in rowing at the 1930 Empire Games, winning gold in the coxed fours, and at the 1932 Summer Olympics, becoming one of the first two Māori Olympi ...
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
An electoral (cong ...
Ian G. Macdonald
Ian Grant Macdonald (11 October 1928 – 8 August 2023) was a British mathematician known for his contributions to symmetric functions, special functions, Lie algebra theory and other aspects of algebra, algebraic combinatorics, and combinator ...
(born 1928), English mathematician, a prominent contributor to algebraic combinatorics
* Ian Macdonald (Australian politician) (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 an ...
(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
Kenneth Donald John Macdonald, Baron Macdonald of River Glaven, (born 4 January 1953) is a British lawyer and politician who served as Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) of England and Wales from 2003 to 2008. In that office he was head o ...
(born 1953), British barrister, Director of Public Prosecutions
*
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)
Sarah Macdonald (born 1966) is an Australian journalist, author and ex-radio presenter, and has been associated with several ABC radio programs, including Triple J, ABC Radio Sydney and Radio National. She is also known for her book ''Holy Cow! ...
(born 1966), Australian journalist
*
Kevin Macdonald (director)
Kevin Macdonald (born 28 October 1967) is a Scottish film 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, ...
(born 1967), Scottish film director
* Shona Macdonald (born 1969), Scottish artist
*
Shauna MacDonald (Canadian actress)
Shauna MacDonald is a Canadian television and film actress, director, producer, writer, voice actor, and radio announcer. She became known for her role as the national continuity announcer for CBC Radio One.
Life and career
MacDonald was born ...
(born 1970), Canadian actress and filmmaker
*
Kelly Macdonald
Kelly Macdonald (born 23 February 1976) is a Scottish actress. Known for her performances on film and television, she has received various accolades including a BAFTA Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, and four Screen Actors Guild Awards.
Macdona ...
(born 1976), Scottish actress
*
Shauna Macdonald (Scottish actress)
Shauna Macdonald 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 departing the series, she st ...
(born 1981), Scottish stage, television and film actress
*
Alice Macdonald
Alice Macdonald (born 1 April 1983) is a British Labour and Co-operative Party politician serving as the Member of Parliament (MP) for Norwich North since 2024. She is the daughter of former West Norfolk Council Labour leader Irene Macdonald.
...
(born 1983), English politician
*
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 (Amy Macdonald album), This Is the Life'', which produced the singles "Mr. Rock & Roll" and "This ...
(born 1987), Scottish singer/songwriter
*
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 ...
(born 1989), bassist for The 1975
* Nene Macdonald (born 1994), Papua New Guinean Rugby League player
* Louise Macdonald (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
Ambrose Stephen McDonald (November 28, 1845 – April 14, 1913) was an American politician and businessman.
Born in Crown Point, Indiana, McDonald served in the 12th Indiana Infantry Regiment during the American Civil War. He graduated from t ...
(1845–1913), American businessman and politician
*
Eugene F. McDonald
Eugene F. McDonald (1886–1958) founded Zenith Electronics Corporation, Zenith Radio in 1921, a major American radio and electronics manufacturer for most of the twentieth century.
Early life
Eugene F. McDonald Jr. was born March 11, 1886, in Sy ...
(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 Co ...
(1899–1955), American composer, pianist, conductor and teacher
* Ian Donald Roy McDonald (1898–1920), British World War I flying ace
*
Jack McDonald (ice hockey, born 1887)
Patrick John McDonald (February 28, 1887 – January 24, 1958) was a Canadian professional ice hockey player who played from 1905 until 1922, including eleven seasons in the National Hockey Association/National Hockey League for the Montreal ...
(died 1958), Canadian ice hockey player
* James Grover McDonald (1886–1964), American diplomat, first Ambassador to Israel
*
John McDonald (of Dromod)
John McDonald (19 September 1846 – 1932) was an Irish cultural nationalist poet during the nineteenth century Irish Literary Revival. Known for frequent contributions to weekly and periodical Irish publications, he published a book of poetry ...
(1846 – aft. 1911), Irish cultural nationalist poet
* Winifred McDonald (1888–1976), Secretary of the State of Connecticut
Archie P. McDonald
Archie Philip McDonald (November 29, 1935–August 16, 2012) was an American historian with a focus on the history of Texas. He served as director of the East Texas Historical Association as well as editor of the ''East Texas Historical Journal'' ...
(1935–2012), American Texan historian
* Arthur B. McDonald (born 1943), Canadian astrophysicist
*
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
* Christopher W. McDonald (1931–2011), British footballer and businessman in Japan
*
Country Joe McDonald
Joseph Allen "Country Joe" McDonald (born January 1, 1942) is an American singer, songwriter and musician who was the lead vocalist of the 1960s psychedelic rock group Country Joe and the Fish.Richard Brenneman"Country Joe McDonald Revives Anti ...
(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 musician, composer and 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 (ban ...
(1946–2012), English rock musician
*
Larry McDonald
Lawrence Patton McDonald (April 1, 1935 – September 1, 1983) was an American physician, politician and a member of the United States House of Representatives, representing Georgia's 7th congressional district as a Democrat from 1975 until ...
(1935–1983), member of the United States House of Representatives
* Laurier McDonald (born 1931), Texas Attorney, historian, author
*
Mac McDonald
Mac McDonald (born Terence McDonald; June 18, 1949) is an American actor. He is known for playing Captain Hollister
This is a list of characters from the TV sitcom ''Red Dwarf''.
Major characters
Overview
Details
Alter egos Ace Ri ...
(born 1949), American actor
*
Marie McDonald
Marie McDonald (born Cora Marie Frye, July 6, 1923 – October 21, 1965) was an American singer. She started her career at a young age, participating in beauty pageants and gaining attention as "The Queen of Coney Island" and "Miss New York Stat ...
(1923–1965), American film actress
* Martha McDonald (born 1964), American artist
*
Maurice McDonald
Richard McDonald (February 16, 1909 – July 14, 1998) and Maurice “Mac" McDonald (1902 – December 11, 1971), collectively known as the McDonald brothers, were American entrepreneurs who founded the fast food company McDonald's.
The brother ...
(1902–1971), American fast food pioneer and co-founder of
McDonald's
McDonald's Corporation, doing business as McDonald's, is an American Multinational corporation, multinational fast food chain store, chain. As of 2024, it is the second largest by number of locations in the world, behind only the Chinese ch ...
Sandy McDonald
Alexander McDonald (5 November 1937 – 17 March 2016) was a Scottish minister of the Church of Scotland who served as the Moderator of the General Assembly of the Church of Scotland from 1997 to 1998.
Biography
McDonald was born in Bisho ...
(1937–2016), Scottish Minister of the Church of Scotland
* Susan Marshall McDonald (1918–1992), philatelist of Ohio
*
Susann McDonald
Susann Hackett McDonald (May 26, 1935 – May 29, 2025) was an American classical harpist. In addition to a successful performing career, she made a number of recordings and held significant academic and organizational posts. As head of the har ...
(1935–2025), American classical harpist
* Toby McDonald (1949 or 1950–2025), Canadian curler
*
Trevor McDonald
Sir Trevor Lawson McDonald (born George McDonald; 16 August 1939) is a Trinidadian-British newsreader and journalist, best known for his career as a news presenter with Independent Television News (ITN).
McDonald began his career working as a ...
(born George McDonald, 1939), Trinidadian-born British news presenter
*
W. Ian McDonald
William Ian McDonald (15 March 1933 – 13 December 2006) was a New Zealand neurologist and academic. Having taught and practiced in New Zealand and the United States, he was Professor of Neurology at the Institute of Neurology of the University ...
(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 (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
Ariel McDonald
Ariel Rene McDonald (born January 5, 1972) is an American-Slovenian former 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 singer and actress. 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 acti ...
(born 1970), American actress and singer
*
Andy McDonald (politician)
Andrew Joseph McDonald (born 8 March 1958) is a British Labour Party politician and solicitor serving as Member of Parliament (MP) for Middlesbrough and Thornaby East (formerly Middlesbrough) since 2012.
McDonald served as Shadow Employmen ...
Christopher McDonald
Christopher McDonald (born February 15, 1955) is an American actor.
McDonald is best known for playing the villainous professional golfer Shooter McGavin in the 1996 comedy '' Happy Gilmore'', a role he’d later reprise in 2025’s sequel '' H ...
(born 1955), American actor
*
Christopher McDonald (jurist)
Christopher Lee McDonald (born September 17, 1974) is an American judge who has served as an associate justice of the Iowa Supreme Court since 2019.
Education
McDonald was born in Bangkok, Thailand to a Vietnamese mother and an American father ...
(born 1974), American judge
* Clayton McDonald (born 1988), English footballer
* Cole McDonald (born 1998), American football player
*
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 (; born 18 April 1971) is a Scottish actor. He is best known for portraying the Tenth Doctor, tenth and Fourteenth Doctor, fourteenth incarnations of The Doctor (Doctor Who), the Doctor in the science fiction series ''Docto ...
(born David John McDonald, 1971), Scottish actor
* D. K. McDonald, American football player and coach
* Elizabeth McDonald (born 1985), American artist
*
Hugh McDonald (American musician)
Hugh John McDonald (born December 28, 1950) is an American musician. He is best known for his session work and for being the bassist and backup singer of the rock band Bon Jovi, which he joined as session/touring band member in November 1994 ...
(born 1950), American musician, bassist
*
Ian McDonald (author)
Ian McDonald (born 1960) is a British Science fiction fandom, science fiction novelist, living in Belfast. His themes include nanotechnology, Cyberpunk derivatives#Postcyberpunk, postcyberpunk settings, and the impact of rapid Social change, soc ...
(born 1960), British science fiction novelist
* Jayne MacDonald (died 1977), English female murder victim
*
Joanne McDonald
Joanne McDonald (born 1952) is a Canadian wheelchair sport athlete and disability rights advocate. She played on the Canada women's national wheelchair basketball team, Canadian women’s national wheelchair basketball team from 1974 to 1985 and c ...
Kevin McDonald
Kevin Hamilton McDonald (born May 16, 1961) is a Canadian 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 the 1988–1 ...
(born 1961), Canadian comedian and actor
*
Kevin McDonald (footballer, born 1985)
Kevin Alan McDonald (born 26 June 1985 in Newcastle upon Tyne) is an English former professional footballer, is the interim head coach of Scottish Championship club Dunfermline Athletic.
Club career
McDonald signed for Hibernian from Sunder ...
, 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 ...
, Scottish footballer
*
Lanny McDonald
Lanny King McDonald (born February 16, 1953) is a Canadian former professional ice hockey player for the Toronto Maple Leafs, Colorado Rockies and Calgary Flames of the National Hockey League (NHL). He played over 1,100 games during a 16-year ...
(born 1953), Canadian ice hockey player
*
Mackenzie McDonald
Michael Mackenzie Lowe McDonald (born April 16, 1995) is an American professional tennis player. He has a career-high singles ATP rankings, ranking of world No. 37, achieved on October 16, 2023 and a doubles ranking of No. 49, achieved on Octobe ...
Meg McDonald (footballer)
Meghan McDonald (born 29 June 1991) is an Australian rules footballer with the Geelong Football Club in the AFL Women's competition (AFLW). She previously played with the Western Bulldogs in the 2017 season. McDonald was recruited by the Weste ...
(born 1991), Australian rules footballer
* 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 Canadian television series '' Degrassi: The Next Generation''.
Career
McDonald focused on acting, playing a role in th ...
(born 1987), Canadian actress
*
Neil McDonald (footballer)
Neil Raymond McDonald (born 2 November 1965) is a association football, football manager, coach and former player, in the right back and midfield positions. He is currently assistant coach of side Kidderminster Harriers F.C., Kidderminster Harr ...
(born 1965), English footballer and coach
*
Rod McDonald (footballer, born 1967)
Rodney McDonald (born 20 March 1967) is an English former professional association football, footballer. His sons, Clayton McDonald, Clayton and Rod McDonald (footballer, born 1992), Rod are also professional footballers.
In 1996, during his sp ...
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 an American contemporary Christian music
Contemporary Christian music (CCM), also known as Christian pop, and occasionally inspirational music, is a genre of modern popular music, and an a ...
(born 1978), American Christian singer, songwriter and guitarist
*
Simon McDonald (diplomat)
Simon Gerard McDonald, Baron McDonald of Salford, (born 9 March 1961) is a British former diplomat who was the Permanent Under-Secretary at the Foreign and Commonwealth Office and Head of the Diplomatic Service until September 2020. He was th ...
(born 1961), British diplomat
* Will McDonald IV (born 1999), American football player
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 an English music critic, journalist and author, best known for both '' Revolution in the Head'', his critical history of the Beatles which borrowed te ...
(born Ian MacCormick, 1948–2003), British music critic and author
It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia
''It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia'', also known colloquially simply as ''Always Sunny'', is an American sitcom created by Rob McElhenney and co-developed by Glenn Howerton for FX (TV channel), FX. It premiered on August 4, 2005, and stars Charl ...
''
*
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, an ...
, 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
A farmer is a person engaged in agriculture, raising living organisms for food or raw materials. The ter ...
''
* Several characters from the British soap opera ''
Coronation Street
''Coronation Street'' (colloquially referred to as ''Corrie'') is a British television soap opera created by ITV Granada, Granada Television and shown on ITV (TV network), ITV since 9 December 1960. The programme centres on a cobbled, terraced ...
Becky McDonald
Becky 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 was ...