Surname MacCalkins - Meaning and Origin

MacCalkins: What does the surname MacCalkins mean?

The last name MacCalkins is a variation of the surname McCalkin and is derived from a Gaelic surname originating from Scotland. This surname is thought to be derived from the Gaelic personal name Calkin, which first appeared in the 11th century. The root of this name comes from the Gaelic word cailcin meaning 'little cauldron'. This indicates that the early holders of the name MacCalkins were probably either metal workers or blacksmiths.

The MacCalkins people likely originated in the Parish of Kilmilo, County Down in Northern Ireland where many of the early records of the name appear. The name then spread across the counties of Antrim, Down, Donegal, and Armagh during the 17th and 18th centuries. The name is also found in Glasgow and Edinburgh, likely brought by Ulster emigrants.

Today, MacCalkins can be found scattered across the United Kingdom, the United States, Australia and Canada. It is still a relatively uncommon surname, with less than 20,000 people registered with the surname globally.

MacCalkins is an unusual but interesting surname that brings to mind a family of hardworking, determined individuals with a unique and fascinating heritage.

MacCalkins: Where does the name MacCalkins come from?

The last name MacCalkins is primarily found in the United States today, especially in the South East and Midwest regions. In America, the name can first be found amongst Scottish-American families that emigrated from Scotland in the 1600s, primarily in Virginia and the Carolinas.

Despite its long presence in the United States, many modern day MacCalkins are descended from the original immigrants in Scotland. Some may be the descendants of two prominent Scottish families who shared the name in the 1500s. Of these families, one was from the parish of Kilmarnock in Ayrshire, while the other was from a long-standing MacCalkins lineage in the Borders region.

The MacCalkins name can be found in various records once the family was established in the United States. There are records of family members who served in the Revolutionary War & the Civil War. There is also a record of a John MacCalkins who migrated to New York from Scotland in 1764. Furthermore, there are some notable MacCalkins across the United States today, from public figures to professional sports stars.

Nowadays, the MacCalkin family is spread not only across the US, but is also present in Canada, the United Kingdom, Ireland, Australia and New Zealand. It remains a relatively rare surname, but its North American variants are amongst the most numerous.

Variations of the surname MacCalkins

The surname MacCalkins has many variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. Some of the most commonly used variants include MacCalkan, MacCalken, MacCallan, MacCallen, MacCalon, MacCallon, McCallon, McCellin and MacCellin.

MacCalkins is an Anglicized form of the Irish name “MacUalghain” which originates from the Gaelic word “Ualghain”. It is most likely derived from the personal name Uallachain which means “noble, valiant”. As a result, it is widely believed to have been originally an Irish chiefly clan which was headed by an Ua Ualghain chieftain.

The other variants of MacCalkins are derivatives of the original name, and are found across Scotland, Ireland, and the US. The MacCalken, MacCallen, and MacCalon variants are all found in Ireland, Scotland, and the US. The McCallon variant is found primarily in the US, and the MacCellin variant is shared both in Ireland and Scotland.

In the early 1700’s, the Anglicized forms of the surname were also used as the spelling for the surname in English legal documents. As a result, many of the variants have been found in records from that era.

In terms of popular culture, many of the variants of the surname are featured in various works of fiction, television shows, and films. Some notable examples include the "MacCallan" family in the TV show Lost, and the "MacCalon" family in the movie Inception.

Overall, the MacCalkins surname has many variants, spellings, and other surnames of the same origin. They have been found in records dating as far back as the early 1700’s, and are now found in various works of fiction.

Famous people with the name MacCalkins

• Gordon MacCalkins: Former Principal of Harvard Law School.
• Gavin MacCalkins: British actor and writer, best known for his roles in the films ‘The Boat That Rocked’ and ‘About Time’.
• John MacCalkins: English footballer who spent his whole career playing for Liverpool F.C., and was the club’s longest serving player at the time of his retirement.
• Robert MacCalkins: American physicist who made significant contributions to the development of computing and space science in the mid-20th century.
• Christina MacCalkins: Australian author and women’s rights advocate, best known for her writing on topics such as maternity leave, gender inequality, and the representation of women in the workplace.
• Shelly MacCalkins: American singer-songwriter and multi-instrumentalist, whose heartfelt music draws influence from folk and roots rock.
• Peter MacCalkins: British playwright who has had numerous productions at the Royal Court Theatre, National Theatre, Chichester Festival Theatre and Royal Shakespeare Company.
• Rose MacCalkins: Scottish entrepreneur who co-founded the Rabodirect online bank.
• Jack MacCalkins: Canadian film director whose work has often used satire to bring attention to social and environmental issues.
• Joe MacCalkins: American music producer who has worked with many notable acts, including U2, Beyoncé, and Jay Z.

Other surnames

MacCalkin