Show ContentsMaster History, Family Crest & Coats of Arms

Etymology of Master

What does the name Master mean?

The story of the name Master reaches back through Scottish history to the kingdom of Dalriada. The name evolved for a person who worked as a cleric. The Middle Gaelic word magisder is borrowed from the Latin magister. The Gaelic form of the surname is Mac a Mhaighstir, which means son of the Master. 1

Early Origins of the Master family

The surname Master was first found in Ardgour (Scottish Gaelic: Ard Ghobhar, meaning Height of the goats), where they were anciently derived from members of the Clan MacInnes, who changed their name.

"This surname is now found mainly in the shires of Dumfries and Wigtown, but was also the name of a sept in Ardgour traditionally said to have been dispossessed by Macleans in the fifteenth century." 1

Early History of the Master family

This web page shows only a small excerpt of our Master research. Another 72 words (5 lines of text) covering the years 1300, 1433, 1498, 1582 and 1890 are included under the topic Early Master History in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Master Spelling Variations

Spelling variations are the result of the medieval practice of spelling according to sound and repeated translation between Gaelic and English. Many spelling variations of Master have been recorded over the years, including MacMaster, McMaster, M'Master, Mac a' Mhaighstir (Gaelic) and many more.

Early Notables of the Master family

More information is included under the topic Early Master Notables in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.

Master Ranking

In the United States, the name Master is the 13,713rd most popular surname with an estimated 2,487 people with that name. 2

Migration of the Master family to Ireland

Some of the Master family moved to Ireland, but this topic is not covered in this excerpt.
Another 88 words (6 lines of text) about their life in Ireland is included in all our PDF Extended History products and printed products wherever possible.


Master migration to the United States +

Numerous Scottish settlers settled along the east coast of the colonies that would become the United States and Canada. Others traveled to the open country of the west. At the time of the American War of Independence, some remained in the United States, while those who remained loyal to the crown went north to Canada as United Empire Loyalists. The highland games and Clan societies that sprang up across North America in the 20th century have helped many Scots to recover parts of their lost traditions. Research into passenger and immigration lists has revealed some of the very first Masters to arrive in North America:

Master Settlers in United States in the 17th Century
  • Edward Master, who arrived in Virginia in 1666 3
Master Settlers in United States in the 18th Century
  • Christopher Master, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1762 3
  • Moritz Master, who landed in Pennsylvania in 1764 3
  • John Master, who landed in Virginia in 1790 3
Master Settlers in United States in the 19th Century
  • Elizabeth Master, who landed in Long Island in 1812 3
  • Emma Master, aged 18, who landed in New Bedford, Massachusetts in 1840 3
  • Joseph Master, who arrived in Tippecanoe County, Ind in 1850 3

Master migration to Canada +

Some of the first settlers of this family name were:

Master Settlers in Canada in the 19th Century
  • Isaac Master, who arrived in Canada in 1831

Master migration to Australia +

Emigration to Australia followed the First Fleets of convicts, tradespeople and early settlers. Early immigrants include:

Master Settlers in Australia in the 19th Century
  • Henry Master, aged 18, who arrived in South Australia in 1853 aboard the ship "Shackamaxon" 4

Master migration to New Zealand +

Emigration to New Zealand followed in the footsteps of the European explorers, such as Captain Cook (1769-70): first came sealers, whalers, missionaries, and traders. By 1838, the British New Zealand Company had begun buying land from the Maori tribes, and selling it to settlers, and, after the Treaty of Waitangi in 1840, many British families set out on the arduous six month journey from Britain to Aotearoa to start a new life. Early immigrants include:

Master Settlers in New Zealand in the 19th Century
  • Mr. H. Master, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Merchantman' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand and Auckland New Zealand on 6th September 1855 5
  • Mrs. Master, British settler travelling from London aboard the ship 'Merchantman' arriving in Lyttelton, Christchurch, South Island, New Zealand and Auckland New Zealand on 6th September 1855 5
  • W. Master, who arrived in Wellington, New Zealand aboard the ship "Ann Wilson" in 1857

Contemporary Notables of the name Master (post 1700) +

  • Sheridan F. Master (b. 1869), American politician, Candidate for Circuit Judge in Michigan 9th Circuit, 1905; U.S. Surveyor of Customs, 1909 6
  • Master Francke (1380-1440), German painter

Flight 191
  • J J Master (d. 1979), American passenger from Chicago, Illinois, USA, who flew aboard American Airlines Flight 191 and died in the crash 7


The Master Motto +

The motto was originally a war cry or slogan. Mottoes first began to be shown with arms in the 14th and 15th centuries, but were not in general use until the 17th century. Thus the oldest coats of arms generally do not include a motto. Mottoes seldom form part of the grant of arms: Under most heraldic authorities, a motto is an optional component of the coat of arms, and can be added to or changed at will; many families have chosen not to display a motto.

Motto: MacAonghais a-rithist
Motto Translation: Again MacInnes


Suggested Readings for the name Master +

  • The Masters Family of Ithaca, N.Y. by Arthur C. Downs.

  1. Black, George F., The Surnames of Scotland Their Origin, Meaning and History. New York: New York Public Library, 1946. Print. (ISBN 0-87104-172-3)
  2. "What are the 5,000 Most Common Last Names in the U.S.?". NameCensus.com, https://namecensus.com/last-names/
  3. Filby, P. William, Meyer, Mary K., Passenger and immigration lists index : a guide to published arrival records of about 500,000 passengers who came to the United States and Canada in the seventeenth, eighteenth, and nineteenth centuries. 1982-1985 Cumulated Supplements in Four Volumes Detroit, Mich. : Gale Research Co., 1985, Print (ISBN 0-8103-1795-8)
  4. South Australian Register Thursday 20 January 1853. (Retrieved 2010, November 5) SHACKAMAXON 1853. Retrieved http://www.theshipslist.com/ships/australia/shackamaxon1853.shtml
  5. New Zealand Yesteryears Passenger Lists 1800 to 1900 (Retrieved 17th October 2018). Retrieved from http://www.yesteryears.co.nz/shipping/passlist.html
  6. The Political Graveyard: Alphabetical Name Index. (Retrieved 2015, October 22) . Retrieved from http://politicalgraveyard.com/alpha/index.html
  7. Flight 191's Victims - latimes. (Retrieved 2014, April 16) . Retrieved from http://articles.latimes.com/1985-08-04/news/mn-4349_1_fort-lauderdale-area


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