Surname MacCarran - Meaning and Origin
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MacCarran: What does the surname MacCarran mean?
MacCarran is an Irish surname. It originates from the Gaelic Mac Ciarain or Mac Ciarain, meaning 'son of Ciaran'. The personal name Ciaran derives from a diminutive of "ciar", which means 'dark' or 'black'. Hence, the surname could be interpreted as 'son of the dark one'. Irish surnames often originated as a means to denote familial relationships and were traditionally patronymic.
It's also noted that many Irish surnames underwent multiple alterations in spelling over the years, due to factors like regional dialects and phonetic variations, resulting in different derivative versions. Therefore, MacCarran might have variants including McCarron, MacCarren, McCarran, and others. The surname also has a historical affiliation with County Monaghan, in the northern part of Ireland.
While it primarily has Irish origins, the surname also has a presence in locations with significant Irish diaspora population, such as the US and UK, given the large-scale Irish immigration during the 19th and 20th centuries. The meaning of a surname can vary greatly thanks to its unique history and evolution around geographies and eras.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCarran: Where does the name MacCarran come from?
The surname MacCarran has Irish origins, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Ciarain", meaning "son of Ciaran". The name Ciaran derives from the ancient word "ciar", translating to "dark" or "black". In the context of a personal name, it refers to one with dark features.
The MacCarran family first became established in County Monaghan, located in the northern part of the Republic of Ireland. Over time, due to reasons such as emigration and diaspora, the surname spread to other parts of the world, including Scotland, England, America, and Australia. Like many Irish surnames, the name MacCarran underwent many spelling variations as it passed through different regions and generations. Variations can include MacCarron, McCarron, MacCarren, and others.
Today, the surname is common in the Republic of Ireland and Northern Ireland. Notable people with the surname include Pat McCarran, a Democratic Senator from Nevada, after whom the McCarran International Airport in Las Vegas is named. In the United States, the name is most common in Pennsylvania, followed by New York, California, and New Jersey.
Variations of the surname MacCarran
The surname MacCarran, of Irish origin, has both alternate spellings and versions that have emerged over the years due to migration and local dialects. The name denotes "son of Ciaran," with "Mac" translating to "son of" in Gaelic. Variations include McCarran, MacCarren, McCarron, and MacCarron.
In some cases, the "Mac" or "Mc" prefix, meaning "son of," might be dropped entirely, creating additional variants such as Carran, Carren, or Carron. O'Carran or O'Carren could also be possible form, where the "O" prefix means "descendant of."
The surname has also experienced transformations when families with this name immigrated to English-speaking countries, with names being anglicized or simplified for easier pronunciation. Examples of such transformations could include Karran, Karren, or Karron.
However, it's important to note that while these surnames are similar and could potentially have evolved from MacCarran, they may also have a distinct heritage rooted in different geographical locations or entirely different name ancestry. As with all genealogical research, individual family history and lineage records are key to verify connections.
Famous people with the name MacCarran
- Thomas O'MacCarran: a Jubilee Pedestrian, a stunt performer who has been performing pedestrian balancing feats for over 50 years
- Patrick MacCarran: U.S. senator for Nevada from 1933 to 1954
- Bill MacCarran: U.S. Congressman for Nevada from 1955 to 1983
- Dennis MacCarran: Nevada State representative from 1985 to 1988
- Gaylord MacCarran: outdoor writer and naturalist
- Tucker MacCarran: sportswriter and Colorado Hall of Fame member
- Dylan MacCarran: Stand-up comedian and actor
- David MacCarran: Actor, stuntman, and stunt coordinator
- Luke MacCarran: Movie producer and actor
- Clifton MacCarran: Opera singer
- Colleen MacCarran: Singer/songwriter
- Kaylea MacCarran: Professional cyclist
- Declan MacCarran: Irish Professional football player
- Peggy MacCarran: College administrator and advocate of Lakota education
- Krystal MacCarran: Children’s author
- Abigail MacCarran: Artist and painter
- Simon MacCarran: Musician and composer