Arthur Family History

Scottish, Irish, English, German, and French: from the ancient Celtic personal name Arthur. The origin of the name is disputed, but it may be derived from the Latin name Artorius, or it may derive from an old Celtic word meaning ‘bear’ (compare Gaelic art, Welsh arth, both of which mean ‘bear’).

It has been in regular use as a personal name in Britain since the early Middle Ages, owing its popularity in large part to the legendary exploits of King Arthur, which gave rise to a prolific literature in Welsh, French, English, German, and other languages.

In many cases, this is a shortened form of Scottish or Irish McArthur, the patronymic Mac- often being dropped in the 17th, 18th, and 19th centuries under English influence.

West African (Ghana): Anglicized form of the Akan (Fante) name Atta.