McCrae

McCrae is a surname of Scottish origin. It is a variant of the Gaelic-derived surname MacRae or MacCrae, associated with families in the Scottish Highlands. Over time, multiple spellings emerged as records were standardized and families migrated, including MacRae, MacCrae, and McCrae. The name is linked to Clan MacRae, a Highland lineage with historical holdings in parts of northwest Scotland.

In the modern era, bearers of the name McCrae can be found in Scotland, Ireland, and in countries with Scottish diaspora, such as Canada and Australia. The most widely recognized historical figure bearing the name is John McCrae (1872–1918), a Canadian physician and poet who wrote In Flanders Fields during World War I.

Geographic usage includes McCrae, Victoria, a coastal suburb on the Mornington Peninsula in Australia. This and other place names bearing the surname typically reflect historical settlement patterns rather than distinctive local features.

Variant spellings continue to appear in records and lineages, reflecting regional pronunciation and historical immigration. McCrae, MacCrae, MacRae, and McRae are among the commonly encountered forms in genealogical and historical sources.