Recorded in various spelling forms including MacRory, MacCroary, MacCrory, MacCrorie, MacRorie, and short forms commencing Mc, and in Ireland plus the spellings of McCreary, McCreery, McGreary and others, this is a surname of Scottish origins. It derives from the pre 10th century Gaelic name Mac Ruaidhri, meaning the son of the powerful ruler, although who the powerful ruler was is not clear. The surname was very popular in Scotland from the early medieval times( see below), and according to Petty's Census of Ireland in 1659, almost equally so there. Today however in Ireland the surname is quite rare, and in the south of the country is generally recorded as Rodgers and Rogers! The nameholders in Ireland were originally gallowglasses, or mercenary soldiers, who were paid to enter the country in the 14th century to support the then government. Amongst the early examples of the name recordings are those of John Rothri, who was present at the court of Pleas held at Dull in Atholl, Scotland, in 1264, whilst later in 1506 according to the Exchequer rolls of Scotland, Alexander Makrore was a tenant of Kilkewane, Mull of Kintyre. The first recorded spelling of the family name is shown to be that of Ninian Gillepatrike Mak Rori, a hostage to the English, who died in Carlisle Castle, in the year 1298. Throughout the centuries, surnames in every country have continued to "develop" often leading to astonishing variants of the original spelling.

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