Mack Surname

[LynneGP]

I am tracing the surname Mack. My ancestor John Mack immigrated from Inverness to the United States in the mid-late 1600's. The family lore is that the surname was changed when he arrived in the U.S. I am trying to determine what the original surname was if possible.

[Polwarth]

Hello Lynne!

Amongst other clans, Mack is claimed as sept by Clan Home (Hume), Clan MacBean and Clan Mackay (some Mackays spell their name Mackie and pronounce it almost the way it is spelled, rather than as Mac Eye). There may be still further clans that claim it as as sept.

The only way to be absolutely sure which clan is to trace back to your first emigrant ancestor, and if you can make the leap over to Scotland you may be able to trace his/her area of origin - this in turn may give a clue as to which clan he/she may have been connected.

Good luck with your research