This name is a personal one like Macbeth, not a patronymic like Macdonald. It is probably the same as Maqi Rati of the ogham inscription found at Keenrath, county Cork, Ireland. The Gaelic is Mocrath, 'son of grace' or 'prosperity. ' Rat, 'favour, grace, ' is a common element in old Breton names, as Ratfrid, Ratlouuen, etc. (Loth, p. III, 139,147). Like many other old personal names Macrath originated quite independendy in more than one place and date, and was given to individuals in no way connected with each other. Macraith de Ospitali witnessed gift of the church of S. Marie and S. Bruoc of Dunrod to the canons of Holyrood in the reign of Malcolm IV (LSC., p. 20). Macraht decanus de Carrie, c. 1202-07 (RMP., p. 110) may be the same person. Alexander Macrad witnessed a charter of lands of Lus to Maldoun, son of Gillemore, by Maldouen, third earl of Lennox, c. 1225 (Levenax, p. 96). Another Makrath, sacerdos, was present at pleas held at Dull in Atholl, 1264 (RPSA., p. 349). Macrath ap Molegan of Dumfriesshire rendered homage, 1296 (Bain, II, p. 198). As Makerathe Molegan he had his lands restored to him in the same year. Patrick M'Re or M'Rey was tenant in Tybris (Tibbers), parish of Penpont, 1376 (RHM., I, p. liv; II, p. 16), and Dugall McRay was witness at Kilmun, 1476 (Poltalloch Writs, p. 183). A contract of friendship between Macraes and Campbell of Craignish in 1702 is signed by Farquar M'Ra, Donald M'Rah, John MacRah, and D. M'Kra (HP., I, p. 208). Miles McCra or McRaw was tenant under the earl of Seafield, 1721 (ibid., II, p. 297,310), and Donald M'Raw of Ross, Donald M'Raw or M'Rau of Perth, and Rory M'Raw or M'Rars were among the Jacobite prisoners taken in the '45 (Prisoners, III). The late Col. Macrae-Gilstrap restored Eilandonan Castle, the old stronghold of the Macraes. Mackcra, Mackra, and Mackerae, all 1650, McCray 1664, McKra 1511, Makraa 1538, Macraw 1816. See also under Maccrae and Maccraith.

This ancient Highland name, signifying the ' son of Rae,' or of Rath, i.e. "the fortunate one," has many orthographies, of which Macray, Macraa, Macraw, M'Crie, and M'Cree are the chief. From the prevailing characteristic of the race they were called the Black Macraes. They are said to have come originally (into Scotland) from Ireland about the middle of the XIII. cent. They were allies of the Mackenzies, and a number of them fought under the Mackenzie banner at the battle of Largs. They seem never to have had a chieftain of their own. (Boswell's Tour to the Hebrides, edit. Carruthers, p. 107.) They were in considerable estimation in 1715, when there was a line of a song, "And a' the brave M'Craas are coming but at the time of Dr. Johnson's visit to the Highlands they were but poorly off. "At Auchnasheal," says Boswell, "we sat down on a green turf seat at the end of a house We had a considerable circle about us, men, women, and children, all Macraes, Lord Seaforth's people. Not one of them could speak English. I observed to Dr. Johnson, it was much the same as being with a tribe of Indians."