This page will post questions researching the McCracken Family of South Carolina, specializing in the Horry County area from the 1700's to the present.
McCracken Name Origin
Some of the Spelling Variants
MacCracken,MacCraken,MacCrackan,MacCrackin,McCracken,McCraken, McCrackan,McCrackin,McCraccan,McCrekan, MacCrachen,McCraikane, M'Craken,Makcarkan,Makcraken,Makcrakane,M'Crekane,M'Crokane,McKraken,McKrachin,McKeracken,M'Krekane
The following are quotes from The Surnames of Scotland:
Their Origin,Meaning, and History
By George F. Black, Ph.D.
New York, New York Public Library; 1946
MACCRACKEN, MACCRACHEN, MACCRAKEN. An old Galloway surname. Various explanations have been given of the origin of this name, the most likely of which is that it is "nothing but a variant hoeing to the action of two well-known dialectal processes of the name MACNAUGHTON," q.v. Settlements from Argyll into Galloway were made about the middle of the eighth century and later, and Watson has pointed out that with regard to dedications in Galloway that there was a close connection between this region and Kintyre. Blâaâan, Donnâan, Faolâan, Mochoe, Brigid, Columkille, are common in both districts and he adds, "this is likely to be more than a coincidence" (I, p. 171, 179). Michael Makcraken was a follower of the earl of Cassilis respited for murder, 1526 (RSS. I, 3386). Gilbert M'Crekane was burgess of Wigtown, and Michael M'Crekane notary public there, 1536, and burgess, 1546 (Laing, 408; RMS. IV, 80). John M'Crekane was vicar of Sorbie, 1536, notary public in Wigtown, 1539 (RMS. III, 1970), and commissary of Farnes and Rennys, 1542-45 (ibid., 3163). John Makcrakane in Wigtoun had respite for art and part of the breking of Adam Ahannay, 1540 (RSS. II, 3299). Neil Dow McCraikane in Achonacone was town officer of Wigtown, 1628 (RPC. II, p. 283). Dr. Henry Noble McCracken is president of Vassar College, Poughkeepsie, New York State. McCraccan, McKraken, and McKeracken 1684 (Parish), Makcarkan 1500, McCrekan 1564, McKrachin 1607; M'Craken, M'Crokane, M'Krekane. Macfarlane (Am Briathrachan beag) explains the name as from G. MacFhraingein, 'son of Franklin.'
BOOK-The Scotch-Irish by Charles A. Hanna
Many Galloway surnames are derived from Ireland as M'Cracken unquestionably a corruption of an older name. In 1713, Mr. Westerna Waring, High Sheriff of Down, who was then sunk in debt and was afterwards expelled from the Irish House of Commons, arrested the Rev. Alexander McCracken, of Lisburn, one of the Presbyterian non-jurors, without a warrant. Mr. McCracken was fined five hundred pounds and condemned to six months' imprisonment. This imprisonment he suffered, but his sufferings were not supposed to expiate his crime. Being still under the obligation of taking the Oath, he again refused, and, consequently, was kept in jail until George I, was nearly two years on the throne.
BOOK-Fairbairn’s Book Of Crests:
M'Cracken, form Scotland, a nag's head bridied, the reins broken. Plate No. 51.6; Mottoe - Omnia recte.......All things rightly
BOOK : Extract from Dr. MacLysght's More Irish Families, p . 272: McNaughton, McCracken - The well - known Antrim and Down name MacCracken is a corrupted form of MacNeachhtain. Henry Joy MacCracken (1767-1798) who commanded the United Irishmen at the battle Antrim, was executed in Belfast, his native city.
BOOK - The Surnames of Scotland by George F. Black; MACCRACKAN, MACCRACKEN, MACCRACHEN, MACCRAKEN, An old Galloway surname. Various explanations have been given of the organ of this name, the most likely of which is that it is "nothing but a variant owing to the action of two well-known dialectal processes of the name MacNaughton," q.v. Settlements from Argyll into Galloway were made about the middies of the eighth century and later, and Watson has pointed out that with regard to dedications in Galloway that there was a close connection.
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The McCracken Families of South Carolina