Surname Clelland - Meaning and Origin

Clelland: What does the surname Clelland mean?

Clelland is a surname of Scottish origin. It is derived from the ancient Scottish Clan MacLellan and is particularly associated with the southern Scottish region of Galloway. The name MacLellan itself can be traced back to the Gaelic 'MacGilleFhaolain' which mean 'son of the servant of St Fillan'. St Fillan was an Irish missionary of the early medieval period who is venerated as a saint in Scotland. The transition from MacLellan to Clelland occurred over time with variations in pronunciation and spelling, often influenced by regional dialects and accents. Therefore, the last name Clelland denotes lineage or descent from those who served St Fillan, who were likely of religious, possibly cleric, heritage themselves. It is a name that carries connotations of spiritual service, devotion and a strong connection to Scottish history and heritage.

Clelland: Where does the name Clelland come from?

The last name Clelland is of Scottish origin and it's believed to derive from a place called Cleland in the former county of Lanarkshire, near the modern city of Motherwell. The placename itself means "clay land".

The surname Clelland, along with its variations including Cleland and Clellandt, was first found in the Scottish midlands, specifically in Lanarkshire where the ancestors of the Clelland family were believed to reside from the 12th century.

Today, the surname Clelland can still be commonly found in Scotland particularly around the Lanarkshire area. However, over centuries and due to migration and diaspora, bearers of the surname Clelland can also be found in other parts of the United Kingdom, as well as in countries such as the United States, Australia, Canada, and New Zealand. Despite its wider distribution today, the name still is not extremely common in any particular location.

Like many surnames, the variations in spelling of the last name Clelland (Cleland, Cleiland, etc) have occurred over time, typically due to a lack of standardization in spelling in the early centuries and the way words sounded when written phonetically.

Variations of the surname Clelland

The surname Clelland possibly originates from Scotland and is considered a variant of Cleland. According to the resources, Clelland may have been a habitation name from the lands of Cleland in the parish of Shotts, Lanarkshire.

The different versions and spellings of the surname Clelland can vary significantly, largely due to efforts to phonetically spell the names during the process of immigration. Some well-known variants, spellings, and similar surnames include Cleland, Cleveland, Clendaniel, Clendenin, Clendennen, Clendennin, Clynch, Clinch, Clancey, and Klindt.

Additionally, historical records may include variations of spelling, so individuals researching their family tree might also find the name as Klylandt, Cleylandt or Clyland among others. Some documents might also feature an abbreviation of the surname, such as Cl'd or similar notations.

Moreover, Cleland could change to other forms depending on the language or the country. For example, in French, it might be converted to Clellande or Clelande.

Notably, the variations of a surname can provide important clues about changes in the family lineage, migrations, branches and spellings. Understanding its variants can also help trace back one’s genealogy and family history more precisely.

Famous people with the name Clelland

• Sophia Clelland: a R&B singer and songwriter, she has released many popular songs, including “Invincible.”
• Robert Clelland: a Scottish professional footballer who plays for Scottish Football League team Airdrie on an amateur basis.
• Janine Clelland: a professional tennis player who has won a number of tournaments in her career.
• Tom Clelland: a former English footballer who played for Newcastle United Football Club for five years.
• Scott Clelland: a Canadian professional ice hockey player who currently plays for the Colorado Avalanche of the National Hockey League (NHL).
• Andrew Clelland: an American actor and producer who is known for his work in the 2011 science fiction/horror film, “Super 8.”
• Tony Clelland: a British comedian and TV personality who is best known for his appearances on BBC’s panel show “Mock the Week.”
• Cameron Clelland: a Canadian musician who has released several critically acclaimed albums and has regularly collaborated with other artists.
• James Clelland-Youden: an Australian actor known for his roles in “Nim’s Island” and “Footy Legends.”
• Steven Clelland: a Scottish politician who is currently the Member of Parliament for North Ayrshire and Arran.

Other surnames

Clellan