Referencing our name research one can gleam essential information from first, middle and surnames associated with the early Viccar families of Stronmagachan.

For example, Niall Glasse Mac Viccar (1555) would yield the following:

Niall, The eldest son named after his paternal grandfather.

Glasse, (Glass, Glais, Ghille ghlais, Gille Glasse) translated refers to the “son of the gray lad,” and by tradition essentially refer to a maternal grandfather. Therefore, let us investigate this family: Locally they were families called Barons from the fifteenth century till recently. Families were located in Bute, Perth, Dunblane, Dingwall, and founders of a religious body known as “Glassities.” According to Henry Campbell, genealogist, many Campbell's forgot their surnames and took Glasse as theirs. Glasse is also an old Gaelic personal name.

Our next subject is Niall's wife, Katharine Donochie Torlych, daughter of Duncan Mc Eric, of Stronshira, Chieftain of Inveraray, also known as Duncan Charleson.

Donochie, (Donnachie, Dunnachie) aka MacConachie. In Gaelic Mac Dhonnchaidh, 'son of Duncan.' The Clan Donnachie (Clann Dhonnchaidh) better known as Clan Robertson of Atholl. There are three Argyllshire families that were known as Mac Dhonnachie: (1) MacConchie of Inverawe, an old sept of the Campbells. The MacConnachies of Meadowbank in Midlothian were descended from them. (2) MacDhonnachie Mhor or Campbell of Duntroon. (3) MacDhonnachie or Campbell of Glenfeochan. The Campbells of Kilmartin are of uncertain origin. They may have been originally a sept of the MacDhonnachies. The Macconochie Campbells of Inverawe are descended from Duncan (Donachie) Campbell, son of Sir Neil Campbell who died before 1316. From this family line we might presume that Katharine was from the lines of Campbell Chiefs. This would correspond with marrying Niall 'Baron of Stronmagachan.' Of most interest is the father Duncan McEric or Duncan Charleson, 'son of Charles,' a Caithness surname. Additionally, this may be an anglicized MacKerlich. If this is correct, then, they appear to be originally Campbells of Argyllshire.

Neill and Katharine's grandson, Ian Mc Gillecallum (g. Gille Challum) Mc Neill glasse Mc Viccar, son of Malcolum, presents us with another clue regarding the family.

Gille Caluim, 'servant of Calum,' i.e. St. Columba. This was a very popular personal name in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries. It is found in the Book of Deer and associated with the Pictish nation. Ian may have been closely associated with the clergy, or a stanch supporter of the Church, or in recognition of our families roots to the Pictish ancestry?

Ian's wife, Marian Nicoll, (MacNicol, MacNicoll, MacNichol, g. Mac Neacail) brings another dimension as follows: Nicol is from the Latin Nicolas, which again is borrowed from Greek Nicolac, which means, 'conquering people.'

The last name in the early history of Stronmagachan that we consider is the wife of Archibald McVicar (1631) son of Ian, last recorded Chief (Baron of Stronmagachan).

Anna Mac Arthur, (g. Artair for celtic worship of the bear) daughter of Patrick McArthur of Tirevadich, from the line of Chiefs of Arthur. Aedan mac Gabrain, King of Dalriata named his first son Arthur as a tribute to his English Princess wife. As far as we know his son is the first Gael to bear this name

We have used extensively Dr. George Fraser Black's The Surnames of Scotland as the primary reference source to review the history of particular names. All names associated with our family are from documented sources such as land charters, christenings, birth recordings, marriages, tax roles, and Privy Council minutes. We encourage all readers of this section to review their specific family ties and submit additional family research