Macquarie

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A surname of Scottish origin, famously borne by a colonial governor of New South Wales ; a name given to islands, a river and a university in Australia
2. A family name best known from an early governor of New South Wales ; a geographic name used for an Australian island, river and university
3. Denotes a Scottish-derived surname linked to a historic governor of New South Wales ; also names several Australian places, including an island, a river and a university

Etymology: Lachlan Macquarie was the last governor of New South Wales to rule with near-absolute authority, serving from 1810 to 1821, and his name spread across the map of Australia far beyond his own colony. The word "Macquarie" is a surname of Scottish Gaelic origin, rooted in the personal name "Mac Gille Mhaoil" or similar forms meaning "son of the servant of Mary" (a folk-level reading that is widely cited). Macquarie was born on the island of Ulva, off the west coast of Scotland, in 1762, and the surname came to Australia with him. Because the governor named so many things after himself and his family, "Macquarie" now attaches to a river, a harbour, a lighthouse, a university, a bank, and a street in Sydney. The name is used for these places and institutions rather than as a common word, so its uses are almost entirely proper nouns. The "Macquarie" in "Macquarie Island", for example, was named after him by the sealing captain who discovered it in 1810.