McIntosh

McIntosh is a surname of Scottish origin, with common variant spellings including MacIntosh, Mackintosh, and Macintosh. It is closely associated with Clan Mackintosh, a Highland Scottish clan that was a prominent branch of the Chattan Confederation. The clan has historical ties to the Scottish Highlands, particularly in the Badenoch region, and its chiefs have played a notable role in regional history. Today the name is widely dispersed in Scotland and in other English-speaking countries, including Canada, the United States, Australia, and beyond.

In addition to its use as a surname, McIntosh is associated with other culturally significant references named after people who bore the name. The spread of the surname through migration and settlement has led to numerous place names and localities bearing McIntosh in North America.

The term also appears in horticulture as the McIntosh apple, a cultivar of Malus domestica. The apple was discovered by John McIntosh in Ontario, Canada, around the early 19th century (often dated to about 1811). McIntosh apples are typically red with green undertones and are widely grown for fresh consumption and cooking; the spelling MacIntosh is also commonly used for this variety.

There are various towns, townships, and geographic features named McIntosh in North America, reflecting the surname’s historical and cultural footprint. The name remains widely recognized as both a family name and a toponym, with ongoing use in genealogy, history, and horticulture.