Mcarthur

Part of speech: noun

Definitions

1. A Scottish-derived family name, famously borne by the American general Douglas who led Pacific forces in World War II
2. A surname of Scottish origin, best known as that of the American World War II commander Douglas
3. The Scottish-origin family name of several notable people, including the Pacific theatre general Douglas from the Second World War

Etymology: McArthur is a patronymic surname meaning "son of Arthur," formed from the Gaelic "mac," meaning "son of," and the personal name "Arthur." In Scottish and Irish Gaelic the name appears as "Mac Artúir" or "Mac Arthair," and it became a recognised family name in the Highlands and western Scotland. Like many Gaelic surnames, it was later spelled in several ways, including "MacArthur" and "M'Arthur," before English conventions settled the forms used today. The "Arthur" element itself is less certain. It may derive from a Celtic root linked to "bear," but this is not firmly established, and some scholars connect the name to the Roman family name Artorius. The surname therefore records a father's name rather than a place or occupation, and it says nothing directly about the legendary King Arthur, whose name is a separate question.