Surname MacEachan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacEachan: What does the surname MacEachan mean?
The last name MacEachan is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Eachain", which translates to "son of Hector" in English. The name "Hector" itself comes from the Greek "Hektōr", meaning "holding fast”. Therefore, its symbolism is related to steadfastness or firmness. As a patronymic surname, MacEachan would have originally been used to convey lineage, indicating one who was the son or descendant of a man named Hector. The way it is spelled can often vary, with MacEachen and MacEachin being common variations. It is associated with the Scottish Highlands, particularly with the region around Ardnamurchan.
Order DNA origin analysisMacEachan: Where does the name MacEachan come from?
The last name MacEachan is of Scottish origin. It is derived from Gaelic elements: "mac" meaning "son" and "Eachan" derived from the personal name Eachdonn. It is found particularly across regions known for their Gaelic history like the Scottish Highlands and Western Isles. The name’s popularity decreased during the Scottish clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries where many Scottish names were “anglicised” or changed, and many Scots who bore these names were displaced or migrated to other countries. Today, it is less common but can be found among individuals and families of Scottish descent around the world, particularly in countries with a significant Scottish diaspora like the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It should be noted that variations of the surname, such as McEachan, can also be found globally.
Variations of the surname MacEachan
The surname MacEachan is of Scottish-Gaelic origin and can be found in various forms due to various phonetic spellings over time, family branches, and translations into different languages.
Variants of the surname include MacEachin, MacEchin, MacEochain, MacEochagain, MacGeachin, MacGeochan, McEachan, McEachin, McGeachan, McCacon, M'Eachin, M'Geachin, and M’Keichan to name a few.
There are also anglicized forms of the surname such as Johnson or Johnston which came from the gaelic name Mac Eòin, meanning "son of John". Mac Eòin and MacEachan are sometimes used interchangeably or confused for one another.
Keehan and Keohan are Irish variants of the same origin.
Ultimately, varying immigration records over the centuries have led to many different spellings of this surname across different countries. For the same reason, the surname and its spelling can vary widely even within a single family line.
Due to the Gaelic tradition of naming, where the surname begins with 'Mac' or 'Mc’' meaning 'son of', many surnames of this type may be connected or related in some way.
Famous people with the name MacEachan
- Allan J. MacEachen: He was a Canadian politician who served in the House of Commons for over four decades. He held various high-ranking roles including Deputy Prime Minister and Minister of Finance.
- Rodney MacDonald: Also known by his full name Rodney Joseph MacEachen MacDonald, he is a Canadian politician who served as the 26th Premier of Nova Scotia.
- Scott MacEachen: A baseball player, who pitched in Major League Baseball for four teams, namely New York Yankees, Ohio's Cleveland Indians, Texas Rangers and Philadelphia Phillies. Please note that this surname is uncommon and the listed individuals are as per available records. Also, variations of spelling and translations could exist, such as McEachan or MacEachern, thereby increasing the number of notable individuals. Not all people with this surname might use the exact same version.