MCNAB tribes around the world

Stay informed about MCNAB Family online & offline events!

Keep me informed as to MCNAB Family online & offline events

My MCNAB family came from?

Interested in leading the tribe

See our recent family gatherings

MEET
LEARN
SHOP

MCNAB Family History

This ancient and historic surname is of Scottish origin, although popular in parts of Ireland. It derives from Mac an Abbadh, meaning the son of the abbot! The early chiefs were the lay abbots of the monastery of Glen Dochart, a valley which joins Glen Lochay at the head of Loch Tay, north-west of Edinburgh. In the early church, the abbot of a monastery usually belonged to a leading family of the tribe or "tuath", the office being hereditary to that family. As the the monastery grew rich, the energies of the abbot became more temporal than spiritual, and the abbot a man about town, who took to rearing families and delegating authority to a monk or cleric...

Hire Ireland’s (and the UK’s) best ancestral and genealogy researchers with Ireland101

Who have we missed?

Tell us about any famous MCNAB (or surname variant) you think we should add here. We will get our genealogists to check them out and add them to the list. Thanks!

MEET

Join the conversation with the MCNAB tribe

Find your MCNAB ancestor
Tell us about your MCNAB Family
Tell us about your MCNAB ancestors
Ask a question about the MCNAB history
Leave a message for MCNAB family members

Invite more MCNAB family members!

Write an email address and click 'Invite' to share this page with more members of the MCNAB tribe.

Log in or Register to invite others

Family Coat of Arms Generator

Why not see what your family crest could look like based on your own family characteristics?

Create Crest

LEARN

Discover where the MCNAB Family members live around the world

Explore where tribe members live today!

Can you support one of our Heritage Pilot Projects in your region of origin or linked to you surname(s)? We have THREE live pilots on now and we just need pledges from people to help with donations and fundraising.

Project one is a smart upgrade to The Pirate Queen, Grace O’Malley’s home on Clare Island, County Mayo to make it a ‘must visit’ tourist attraction.
Project two is a new ‘must visit’ Heritage Centre attract more Tourists to Carrick-on-Suir in County Tipperary.
Project three is a new Enterprise Centre in Carrick-on-Suir in County Tipperary.

If you would like to help with a donation pledge, or help fundraise, just submit your email here and we will send you more information on the projects and detail on how you can help.