The pioneering spirit of the Scottish Highlander and his contribution to world history has few rivals amongst the founding races of the British Isles. The Highland surname Mcteer has been prominent in adding a weighty influence to an already monumental image. From the sea swept Hebridean Islands and the mountainous western coast of Scotland, this surname has emerged as a notable family whose history is romanticized by the skirl of the bagpipes, the brandished sword, the tartan kilt and the highland games.

Professional analysts, using some of the oldest manuscripts, including Clan genealogies, the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, the Ragman Rolls, the Inquisitio, the Black Book, parish cartularies, baptismal records, and tax records and many other documents found the name McTeer on the Isle of Iona where they were seated from early times and their first records appeared on the early census rolls taken by the early Kings of Britain to determine the rate of taxation of their subjects.

The name, McTeer, was found to have many variations in spelling, particularly in transferring the name into and from Gaelic. The surname was sometimes spelt MacAteer, MacTear, MacTeir, MacTire, MacAtee, MacAtter, MacAttur, MacAtyre, and these changes in spelling occurred, even between father and son. It was not uncommon for a clansman in his own lifetime to be born with one spelling, marry with another, and yet another to appear on his headstone. Sometimes a different spelling was used to claim a religious or clan affiliation, or even a division of the family.

The Dalriadans are considered one of the founding races of Scotland. This race was descended from the early Irish Kings, specifically King Colla da Crioch, who was banished from Ireland in 327 A.D., along with 350 clan chiefs who settled in the Western Isles. Even now, certain Scottish highland clans are still called the "Children of Colla". Descended from this monarch through Fergus Mor MacEarcha, was the great king Somerled, King of Man and the Isles, the Scion of the MacDonalds, MacDougalls and many others. Kenneth MacAlpine, first King of Scotland, Alba or Caledonia as it was then known, was half Dalriadan, half Pict.

The Highland Clans, kept aloof from Scottish politics. Many battles were fought with the Scottish King, generally considered to be a lowlander, or Sassanach, until Bonnie Prince Charlie rallied their support for his claim to the throne which culminated at Culloden in 1745. The last straw to the highlander had been the Highland Clearances (1790), the result of introducing sheep into the highlands. Many joined the Highland Regiments, and the cream of Sottishmanhood fought and migrated allover the world, including the North American colonies.

Your name McTeer emerged as a Scottish Clan or famiiy in their territory of Iona where they were recorded as a family of great antiquity seated at with manor and estates in that shire. One of the first on record was MacTyre, a Priest who was descended from the MacIntyre, living on the Isle of Iona in 1372. They acquired territories on Bute in 1564. During the religious conflicts, MacAteers mainly Catholic were frequently accused of witchcraft. Notable amongst the Clan from earlytimes was Gilbert Macteer, Chief of the Clan on island of Bute in 1564.

Clan societies are now attempting to reconstruct Highland history. But, typical of the ancient conflict between highlander and Edinburgh, many noble and ancient highland clans have still not officially been recognized by the Lord Lyon of Scotland. Many heads of families migrated from Scotland to Ireland during the 17th and 18th centuries. They became known as the "Scotch/Irish". They were granted the lands of the native Catholic Irish. Thirtysix heads of the family moved to Ireland and settled in Armagh, Antrim and Donegal.

Ever since St. Columba had first brought Christianity to the Isle of Iona, crowning place of the Kings of Scotland, Britain, even of Europe, in the 4th century religion had played a major role in Highland affairs. During the 16th and 17th centuries many "turned", as they say, and became embroiled in the savage religious conflicts of the mainland. Religion frequently inflicted banishment to the New World or worse. Persons who failed the "Test", the oath of belief and loyalty to the new churchwere burnt at the stake, hanged or banished. The Highland Regiments provided a source of migrants the world over. Regiments were formed to relieve the misery caused by the introduction of sheep into the Highlands. Abandoned clansmen moved to Ireland, or to the New World. Many move south to England, an economic necessity.

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