 Clan Maxwell Society
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Various forms of this name are all in current use in Galloway, but the name goes back to a Gaelic spelling: Mac Shitrig (son of Sitric). Black1 lists several findings of this name from the 14th Century forward: John M’Kethirryke as a tenant in “villa de Prestoun” in 1376; Thomas Makettrik and his heirs having a charter of the lands of Kelauch in Galloway in 1476; and John McQuhitrig witnessing a charter of amortization by the rector of Newlands in 1504.
It is the latter connection which could be the best link to the Maxwells, for it may have meant Newlaw, a Maxwell property. The nearest place name spelled Newlands is actually far from Galloway, near Hermitage Castle in Armstrong County.
Black1 also tells us that some with this name changed it to Ketteridge, a change deemed “more genteel.”
George Fraser Black was born in Stirling, Scotland, in 1866. He was associate director of the Scottish National Museum of Antiquities in Edinburgh before coming to the United States in 1896. After which he worked diligently for the New York Public Library until his retirement in 1931. Dr Black is remembered as a noted bibliographer, historical scholar, penman and a definitive authority on Scottish surnames and lore.
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