Macpherson Family Tree research resources
Delve into the history of the Macpherson Family History using the resources below. We hope you find these sites useful whilst you are researching your Genealogy !
 | Did you know that in the 1881 UK census there were 1939 people with the Macpherson surname? In that year Macpherson was ranked number 1871 for popularity in the UK. |
"The son of Pherson. The family are descended from Gille Chattan More, Chief of Clan Chattan, temp. Malcolm Canmore. "(The origin and signification of Scottish surnames. Clifford Stanley Sims, 1862)
Macpherson records on Ancestry
Ancestry is a major source of information if you are filling out your Macpherson family tree. A vast range of data is available to search ranging from census records, births, deaths and marriages, military records and immigration records to name but a few. Free trials are normally available and are a good way to fill out a lot of your tree quickly.
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Ancestry.com Global records search results for the Macpherson family. |
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Ancestry.com US records search results for the Macpherson family. |
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Ancestry.co.uk UK records search results for the Macpherson family. |
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Ancestry.ca Canadian records search results for the Macpherson family. |
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Ancestry.com.au Australian records search results for the Macpherson family. |
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Historical References
"MACPHERSON, MACPERSON. Gaelic Mac a' Phearsain or Mac a Phearsoin, 'son of the parson.' In the Book of the Dean of Lismore the name is spelled M'apharsone. Alexander Makfersan was bailie to the bishop of Aberdeen, c. 1447 (REA., i, p. 250). Bean Makimpersone witnessed a bond between William of Rose and Duncan Makintosche, captain of Clancattane, 1490 (Cawdor, p. 74), and in the same year, as Beane Makynparsone, he witnessed an indenture between Doncan Makyntosche and Huchone the Rois, baron of Kylraok (Rose, p. 153). Payment was made to David Makfassane "for twa gunnis of matel," 1538 (ALHT., vn, p. 25), Donald Makphersone, prior of Strathphillane, appears as witness, 1585 (BBT., p. 233, 234), and the Badenoch Makfersones made a bond of manrent with the earl of Huntly, 1591 (SCM., rv, p. 246). Duncan Dow M' a Persoun in Kinchraikin was a Glenurquhay vassal, 1638 (BBT., p. 403). A small sept of Campbells in the neighborhood of Glassary, Argyllshire, in the fourteenth and fifteenth century bore the name Macpherson. Donaldus M'Inpersuyn was one of a number cited in 1355 to give evidence regarding the lands of Glassre (HP., n, p. 139). As Donald McMcpersun he witnessed a charter by John Campbell, lord of Ardsceodanich, undated, but about 1355 (ibid., p. 141). Another Donald Macpherson, evidently of the same family, was rector of St. Columba, Glassrie, 1420, "showing that the name was not a mere patronymic.' Donald McKinfarsoun was tenant of Teris Balcony, 1531, and Neill McForsoun, tenant in ArrefeiU, Islay, 1541 (ER., xvn, p. 620, 840, 668). Malcolm Makfersoun obtained the heritage of Kerrytonlia in Bute, 1506 (Hewison, n, p. 173). "It is known that a number of families of the Badenoch Macphersons settled in the Hebrides; and it is a modern mistake to suppose that nearly all who bear the name in those parts are really Murdochsons, who have no connection with 'Clann Mhuirich bho Bhinnein'" (Sinton, Poetry of Badenoch, p. 84). Malcolm McPhersone was "parsoune of Herreis," 1556 (Coll., p. 146). Tormot M'Farsane, vicar of Snizort, 1526. Dun: me appersone and Gilbert me persone are in Clachandysart, 1692 (Commons, p. 30). McEpersoun 1559, Makfarson 1481, M'Ferson 1685, McFersoune 1662, Makferssoun 1530, M'Inphersonis (pi.) 1594, M'Inferson 1611, NcKherson (fern.) 1682, McKilferson 1506, Mackperson 1646, Mackpharsone 1637; McPerson, McPhersen. "(The surnames of Scotland. George Fraser Black, 1866-1948)
DNA
Sometimes you can run into a brick wall in your tree and you just don't have enough evidence to make that next step back in time. A DNA test can sometimes help to make a link to a particular family name if you find you share common DNA with people who have the same or similar surnames as each other. If you are lucky then you may get a match within a few generations and discover some Macpherson ancestors. Additionally, the modern DNA test can give you a breakdown of your ethnic mix - you may be surprised at the results!
Have you reached a brick wall in your Macpherson Tree?
Visit our Macpherson DNA page to find out more.
Birth, Death and Marriage Records for the Macpherson Genealogy
Birth, Death and Marriage records are often the best method of making the links to the Macpherson Genealogy that will form part of your family tree. Although records vary from country to country, they are normally the most formal record of a person's relations. From the sources listed below it will be possible to locate a birth record and, from that record, a birth certificate may be obtainable which is likely to list the names of the parents, therefore taking you back another generation. A marriage certificate may also list the names of the respective fathers of the bride and groom which may then help you to find them earlier in life on a census record enabling you to fill out more detail in the Macpherson family tree.
Search Macpherson Parish Records at Find My Past.
Check out the UK registered births, marriages and deaths for the Macpherson family name using the FreeBMD database.
Look at Genealogy Bank for Macpherson family records.
Study MyHeritage for Macpherson family data.
Investigate the LDS Database for records of the Macpherson family.
Research the Macpherson surname using fold3 Military Archives and view images of original Macpherson Military records.
| Did you know that there are currently 6148 people with the Macpherson surname in the UK? Macpherson is now ranked number 969 for popularity in the UK. |
Macpherson Family Tree Databases
Explore WikiTree for user contributed Macpherson family records. Collaboration is encouraged so that accuracy of Macpherson data can be verified or corrected by other users.
Search MyTrees for information on the Macpherson family and people looking to contact living Macpherson relations.
Check out GENi for Macpherson family records.
Find your Irish Macpherson relatives on findmypast.ie
Macpherson Forums
Research the Macpherson surname using Genealogy.com forums .
| Did you know that there are currently 6076 people with the Macpherson surname in the USA? Macpherson is ranked number 155 for popularity in the USA. |
Miscellaneous Macpherson Databases
Explore the Ellis Island Database for information on the Macpherson family. This database contains over 25 million immigration records detailing passengers arriving in the United States of America.
Use the Surname Map project to look at the current distribution of the Macpherson surname in the United Kingdom, France, Germany, Spain, Italy and Romania.
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