Scottish Surnames

The surname Shepherd is one of the oldest occupational names found in Scotland. As the name suggests, it comes from looking after sheep.

The Ruthven surname (pronounced Riven) is toponymic which means it is a place-name. It comes from the lands of Ruthven in Perthshire.

The Baird surname is an old Scottish name that dates back to the medieval period. It comes from the Gaelic word ‘bardd’ meaning minstrel or bard.

The Grant surname is prominent in the Scottish Highlands, with Castle Grant serving as the historic stronghold of Clan Grant.

The Cameron surname has Gaelic origins and it is associated with Clan Cameron, one of the most influential Highland clans.

The Johnston surname is a Scottish geographical surname, meaning it originates from a specific location. It translates as “John’s town.”

The Urie surname has geographical roots in Kincardineshire, a region near Aberdeenshire, and it is historically connected to Urie Castle.

The Steele surname is found in both Scotland and England. From the Old English word ‘stēle’ to mean ‘steel’, it represents strength.

The Kerr Surname is a Scottish name with ties to Norse heritage. The old Norse word ‘kjarr’, small group of trees, is pronounced like ‘Carr’.

The Urquhart surname is an ancient Scottish name. It may mean “fort on the knoll,” which perfectly describes the location of Urquhart Castle beside Loch Ness.