Mac an tSagairt is an Irish and Scottish Gaelic surname meaning "son of the priest". It is the original Gaelic form of the more commonly anglicized surname Taggart. The name originates from a historical period when clerical celibacy was not strictly enforced, allowing priests to marry and raise families, leading to patronymic surnames referencing ecclesiastical fathers.
Etymology and Origins
The surname is a patronymic, formed from the prefix Mac (meaning "son of") and an tSagairt (genitive of sagart, meaning "priest"). Thus, Mac an tSagairt literally translates to "son of the priest." The term sagart itself is derived from Latin sacerdos, indicating the deep Christianization of the Gaelic world. The anglicized forms Taggart and McTaggart represent phonetic approximations by English scribes who often truncated the prefix to Tag- or Mc-.
Historical Context
The name gained prominence in Ireland and Scotland during the Middle Ages and early modern period, particularly in regions like Ulster and Galloway. According to Forebears, the surname remains most common today in Ireland and western Scotland, though its bearers are also found in the Scottish diaspora worldwide, especially in Canada, Australia, and the United States.
Notable Bearers and Variants
Among the most famous bearers is the Irish singer Mary Mac an tSagairt (born 1971), known for Celtic folk ballads. In literature, the surname appears in the works of Scottish Gaelic poets. Variant spellings include Taggart and McTaggart, both well-established in Scotland. The name remains a powerful link to Gaelic heritage and the entwined worlds of clergy and family.
Sources: Forebears — mac-an-tsagairt