Surname MacLean - Meaning and Origin
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How my iGENEA DNA Test Revised My Understanding of the MacLean Heritage
Since receiving the results of my iGENEA DNA test, my perspective of my personal identity and my MacLean heritage has been radically transformed. Through this genealogical inquiry, I’ve come to value the history behind my name and understand the origins of my lineage more deeply.
P. MacLean
read moreMacLean: What does the surname MacLean mean?
The last name MacLean is of Scottish origin and it directly translates to "son of Gillean." The name is derived from the Gaelic MacGill-Eain, denoting the ancestry from an individual named Gill-Eain. "Gill-Eain" is a Gaelic personal name, where “Gill” means a servant or a devotee and "Eain" is a derivative of John. So, MacLean can mean "the son of the servant of John," or "the son of devotee of John." This name has a strong historical root in Scotland, especially associated with the Clan MacLean, a Highland Scottish clan that inhabited areas such as Mull, Morvern, and other parts of Scotland. The Clan MacLean is recognized for their courage, loyalty and fierceness in battle. Therefore, the surname not only carries a quite literal meaning, but also a rich historical significance bound with Scottish clan culture.
Order DNA origin analysisMacLean: Where does the name MacLean come from?
The last name MacLean is of Scottish origin. The name can be traced back to the 13th century, originating from the Gaelic MacGill-Eain, meaning "son of the servant of [Saint] John." The Clan MacLean is associated with the Inner Hebrides, an island group off the west coast of mainland Scotland, especially the Isle of Mull.
There are several notable places associated with the MacLeans, such as Duart Castle on the Isle of Mull, the ancestral home of Clan MacLean. In Scotland, the name is still quite common, particularly in areas such as Argyll, Mull, and Morvern.
Aside from Scotland, the name MacLean is fairly common in countries like Canada, the United States, and Australia, primarily due to Scottish emigration. Many MacLeans were part of the significant number of Scots who emigrated during the Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries. This was a period of forced evictions from the Highlands of Scotland, resulting in a widespread Scottish diaspora. As a result of this migration, the last name MacLean is fairly common in regions with a strong Scottish heritage or immigrant population.
Variations of the surname MacLean
The surname MacLean has a variety of spellings and variants due to regional differences, dialects and pronunciation. Some of these include MacLean, McLean, MacLaine, McLaine, MacLane, McLane, MacLeane, McLeane, McClean, MacCleane, McClane, MacClane, MacLeighn, McLeighn, MacLain, McLain, MacLayne, McLayne, Maclay, McLea, MacLea, Maclean, McClean, McLee, MacLee, MacClea, McClea, McCleanes, McCleans, MacCleans, MacCleanes, Mackleane, Makcleane, and MacClaen.
The root of the surname 'MacLean' is Gaelic, with 'Mac' meaning 'son of' and 'Lean' deriving from the personal name ‘Leaghaire’. The variations mainly occur due to the phonetic translations from Gaelic to English over time.
Surnames of the same origin can also include other Scottish clan names such as MacDonald, MacLeod, MacKenzie, MacNeill, and MacMillan. These surnames have the same origin as they all also feature the Gaelic 'Mac' prefix, indicating a patrilineal relationship.
Always remember that surname variants can depend on a whole host of factors, such as geographical location, literacy levels of officials, languages spoken, and of course personal preference.
Famous people with the name MacLean
- Jennifer MacLean: Actress in the Eerie, Indiana TV series.
- Norman MacLean: Author best known for his novella A River Runs Through It and Other Stories.
- P. J. MacLean: Canadian mathematician specializing in algebraic geometry.
- John MacLean: Retired NHL player and Stanley Cup winner with the New Jersey Devils.
- William MacLean: Canadian poet best known for his works of Canadian literature featuring stories from the Northland.
- Anne Murray: Famous Canadian singer and songwriter known for her hits like “Snowbird” and “You Needed Me”.
- Graham MacLean: Senior research faculty of the Department of Civil Engineering at McMaster University.
- Donnie MacLean: Creative director and programming executive at the Hamilton Tiger-Cats CFL football team.
- Wayne McLean: Professional dancer who has appeared in feature films including Shall We Dance and TV series such as So You Think You Can Dance Canada.
- Rachel MacLean: British artist and filmmaker known for her video installations incorporating performance, CGI, and animation.