Surname MacCloran - Meaning and Origin

MacCloran: What does the surname MacCloran mean?

The surname MacCloran is of Irish origin, specifically from the Gaelic Mac Cléircháin; 'mac' meaning son and 'cléirchán' referencing a clerk or cleric. Over time, the spelling was Anglicized to MacCloran, retaining the meaning "son of the cleric."

Like many Irish surnames, it originated as a patronymic name, indicating membership in a clan or descent from a male ancestor. The significant religious connotation suggests that the original bearer was the son of a respected religious figure or cleric.

However, it's worth noting that the interpretations could be varied, and surname meanings have been subject to changes or distortions over centuries. The historical context of the surname's usage could also affect its interpretation.

The name MacCloran is comparatively rare today and can be seen more commonly in Ireland and amongst people of Irish descent in various countries. The surname plays a significant role in genealogy research, facilitating tracing family histories and ancestral regions.

MacCloran: Where does the name MacCloran come from?

The surname MacCloran is of Irish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Clúráin, which means "son of Clúrán". The name Clúrán is composed of the elements 'clúr,' meaning shifty or cunning, and the diminutive suffix '-an.' Therefore, it can be translated as "little deceitful or cunning one".

The spelling of Irish names has changed frequently over the course of history, leading to several variations of the name MacCloran including McClure, McLure, and others. Moreover, many Irish names were anglicized when the owners emigrated during the nineteenth century and subsequent periods of Irish diaspora, adding to the range of spellings.

Today, like many Irish surnames, MacCloran can be found internationally due to large-scale Irish emigration, particularly in English speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. However, it is not a common surname and can be considered quite rare in any of these locations. It is likely that family groups bearing the surname MacCloran are still present in Ireland.

Variations of the surname MacCloran

The surname MacCloran has different variants and spellings which are just the results of an assortment of mistakes over many years, such as mistranslations, misspellings, and the anglicization of old Gaelic names. The origin of the name is believed to be Gaelic, possibly from an old Irish personal name or referring to a specific region in Ireland. It may have also emerged from the clan-based system in Ireland and Scotland.

The modern variations of the spelling include McCloran, MacCloran, Mc Cloran, and Mac Cloran. Other possible iterations could be McClaron or McClorran. Surnames that might share the same origin include the likes of MacClarence, McClarence, MacLaren, McLaran, McLauren, MacLauren, and possibly even names like Cloran or Claron without the 'Mc' or 'Mac' prefix.

Please note that these variations only represent probable versions. Actual connections to the surname MacCloran may depend on specific family histories and genealogical research.

Famous people with the name MacCloran

• Lord Archibald MacCloran of Eldon Square: 9th century Scottish aristocrat
• Captain Joe MacCloran: British Royal Air Force bomber pilot from WW2
• Lachlan MacCloran: contemporary Scottish artist
• Sarah MacCloran: contemporary American historian
• Niamh MacCloran: leading Irish fashion designer
• Robert MacCloran: contemporary American author
• Owen MacCloran: renowned 19th century Irish songwriter
• James MacCloran: 19th century Scottish inventor
• Eric MacCloran: contemporary rugby player from Australia
• A Alastair MacCloran: 19th century Scottish physicist

Other surnames

MacCloren