Fifth Generation

I am not sure when the story of the Magruders being part of the MacGregor clan started but the first proof of it that I see (I could be wrong) is before 1820. John Smith Magruder legally changed the names of his children: “Be it enacted by the General Assembly of Maryland that the name of Nathaniel Mortimer Magruder be changed to Nathaniel Mortimer McGregor and the name of Margaret Ellen Magruder be changed, etc., also Roderick, Henry, and Alaric McGregor.”

I have read stories usually in Magruder online forums that say that John Smith Magruder was a huge Walter Scott fan and Walter Scott romanticized the MacGregor clan. That is where he got the name Roderick for his son. I know that side of the family is known to be a bit dramatic so that makes sense.

The descendants of the Magruders later set up the American Clan Gregor Society which is filled with Scottish romanticism. The fact is that the Magruders are actually part of the Drummond clan. The Drummonds and the MacGregors hated each other. (that is why the MacGregor story started to not make sense to me) However, I think the family story is still fascinating. The Magruder family’s love of early 19th century romanticism  even to the founding of a society (which I am thankful for!) is even more romantic!