Surname McClarian - Meaning and Origin

McClarian: What does the surname McClarian mean?

The surname McClarian is of Irish origin. It's an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Cléirigh", meaning "son of the cleric" or "son of the priest". The prefix "Mac" (or its variant, "Mc") means "son of", while "Cléirigh" is derived from "cléireach" indicating a cleric or a scholar. Historically, this name might associate the bearers with clerical or scholarly lineage, implying they belong to families that provided the clergy in the times of ancient Ireland. However, the meaning of surnames does not have literal significance in contemporary times. The distribution and frequency of surnames have undergone considerable changes over centuries due to migration, marriage, and other factors. Therefore, it is hard to definitively pinpoint the geographical distribution or specific attributes of people holding the McClarian surname in current times.

McClarian: Where does the name McClarian come from?

The surname McClarian is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Cléirigh," which translates to "son of the clerk". As the English language became more popular over time, many Irish names were anglicised, resulting in variations like McClarian. The surname indicates that the original bearers were descendants of a cleric or a scribe, which were respected positions in medieval Irish society. It's important to remember that surname distribution has changed greatly due to factors such as migration and intermarriage.

In present-day, the McClarian surname is not very common, hence it would be challenging to define a specific region where it is dominant. However, regions with a high concentration of individuals of Irish descent such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom might have more individuals bearing the surname. Additionally, there may be individuals with the surname in Ireland, where the name originated. Advancements in transport and communication have resulted in a more global spread of surnames, making it even harder to pinpoint where exactly a surname is prevalent.

Variations of the surname McClarian

The surname McClarian is not well-known as such, but it appears to be of Irish origin, as suggested by the prefix "Mc". It most likely derives from the more common surnames O’Clery, MacClery, or McClure which it may have been morphed into over time. Therefore, possible variants of McClarian may likely include McLarian, MacLarian, O’Clarian, or MacClarian.

However, if the name is a misspelling or mispronunciation, then it might be a derivative of the more common McClarin, McClarrinon, McLaughlin, McClaren, or McLaren. Other potential variations or misspellings could include Mcclarney, McClard, McClarin, McClaron, McCarrian, or McLarney.

It's also possible the name has Scottish roots, considering the similarity to words like "Clarridge." In Scotland, the "Mac" or "Mc" prefixes also denote 'son of', and are prevalent in Scottish surnames.

Research into the background of a specific individual or family with the surname McClarian would determine the precise origin and variant forms. The evolution and variation in surnames can be influenced by many factors, including geographical location, local dialect, literacy levels, and personal preference. The surname's exact spelling and variations could vary dramatically from country to country and even within a region.

Famous people with the name McClarian

• Mark McClorian: American multi-instrumentalist, composer, and record producer
• Brendan McLarian: American actor, best known for his roles in the television series The O.C., Southland and Deadwood
• Rob McLarian: Canadian actor, comedian and writer, best known for his roles in films such as Superbad, A Christmas Story and The Hangover
• Phil McEclarian: Irish actor and television personality, best known for his roles in shows such as Merlin, Shameless and Love/Hate
• Sean McClarian: American basketball player, playing for the Los Angeles Lakers
• Sue McClarian: American actress, known for her roles in films such as Forrest Gump, Jurassic Park and Flubber
• Megan McLarian: Australian singer and songwriter, best known for her work on the soundtrack to the movie Mama Mia!
• Kathleen McClarian: American historian and author, best known for her books about the history of American popular culture
• Nina McLarian: American portrait and landscape painter
• Timothy McLarian: American jazz musician, composer and producer, best known for his debut album Introducing the Music of Timothy McLarian

Other surnames

McClarinMcClarion