Origin of the McIntyre Clan:
Mac means "son of" and An-t-Saoir means "the carpenter." Therefore, the Gaelic "Mac an-t-Saoir" or modern MacIntyre/McIntyre name means "Son of the Carpenter." Legend tells that Maurice MacNiall, nephew to Somerled, Clan Chief of Argyll, often sailed in his uncle's galley. On one occasion, Somerled and ally Olaf the Red were sailing on a raiding foray together. Intent on winning the hand of Olaf's daughter in marriage, Somerled had MacNiall secretly drill holes in Olaf's galley one night and overlay them with animal fat and butter as the two ships lay anchored side by side.The next day when the ships set sail, the fat and butter gave way, and Olaf's vessel begin to sink. When, he pleaded for help, Somerlad agreed only if he could marry Olaf's daughter. Olaf consented, and MacNiall plugged the holes in the ship with wooden pegs he had ready. Henceforth, MacNiall was known as the carpenter, and his sons were known as the "sons of the carpenter" or MacIntyres.It is likely that MacNiall's reward for his act was his own land along the Highland coast...from whence the MacIntyres migrated to the Glenoe area.**Source: "The Origin of the Clan MacIntyre and their place in Scotland's History"**
