Surname MacGeachan - Meaning and Origin

MacGeachan: What does the surname MacGeachan mean?

The last name MacGeachan is of Scottish origin. It likely derives from the Gaelic language, specifically the word "Mac" which translates to "son of" in English. The second part "Geachan" is less certain, but it may describe a personal characteristic, location, occupation, or paternal lineage of the original bearer. As there isn't any definitive record explaining the precise meaning of "Geachan", the entire surname's translation and meaning remain somewhat unclear. Like many surnames, over generations and through translations into different languages, its spelling and pronunciation may have varied, possibly leading to the modern formation of MacGeachan. Moreover, it's important to note that surnames, especially in the past, were often given based on a significant trait or occupation, hence specific interpretation might be challenging without concrete historical context or record. Therefore, while we can hypothesize that MacGeachan might mean "son of Geachan," the exact significance or description behind "Geachan" remains uncertain.

MacGeachan: Where does the name MacGeachan come from?

The surname MacGeachan is of Scottish origin, stemming from the Gaelic language. The prefix 'Mac' in Scottish and Irish surnames typically means 'son of,' suggesting this name may have initially referred to the 'son of Geachan.' Despite its origin, the surname MacGeachan is quite rare, even in Scotland. Over the years, family trees have spread globally due to migration, and descendants of the original MacGeachan clan might now be residing in various countries. Although the exact prevalence today is hard to determine, it would most likely be found in areas with significant Scottish diaspora such as the United States, Canada, Australia, or New Zealand. However, it's important to note that due to its rarity, the surname might not be particularly common in any specific region.

Variations of the surname MacGeachan

The surname MacGeachan originates from Scotland and Ireland, and is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Eacháin, meaning 'son of Eachán.' Variants of this surname are numerous due to the translations between languages through time and geographical shifts. Some known versions include MacEachen, MacGeachen, MacGeachan, MacGeachin, MacGechan, MacKeachan, McGeachan, McGeachin, McKechnie, McKeachan, McKeechan, McGechan, McGeechan among others.

These differences are largely due to phonetics, i.e., spellings and pronunciations used differed significantly across regions. In Scottish and Irish Gaelic, the name was often pronounced and spelled as MacEacháin or MacEochaidh; in English, it was commonly spelled as Maceachan or Macgechan, while the traditionally Irish form of the name was McEachin or McKechnie.

In addition, the spelling especially varied widely when members of the clan moved to Canada and the United States during periods of emigration. In some cases, the name was altered to be more phonetically English, such as Makeechan or Mckeithan. Thus, there are a variety of spellings for the MacGeachan surname, most often influenced by geographic or historical factors.

Famous people with the name MacGeachan

• Mark MacGechan: a Canadian actor and voice actor who has provided production assistance on projects such as “Creepshow” and “Robocop 3”
• Hannah MacGechan: a British journalist and activist, currently the chair of the Global Network of Women Peacebuilders
• Josh MacGechan: a former U.S. Navy captain and the current Chief Executive Officer and Chairman of the Board of WoofLink Technologies
• Cameron MacGechan: an American pianist, composer, arranger, and studio musician, best known for his work on “Entourage”, “American Idol”, and “Glee”.
• Connor MacGechan: a Scottish actor, known for roles in “Veronica Mars” and the films “Lunch Box” and “Heat Wave”
• Isobel MacGechan: a British author, director, and scriptwriter whose credits include the television miniseries “Harlan County” and the feature film “The Becoming”.
• Morrigan MacGechan: a Canadian singer and songwriter from the group Vidalia who has released two solo albums, “Hard Love” and “The Last Days of Innocence”.
• Laura MacGechan: an Australian watercolour artist and illustrator who has exhibited her work both locally and internationally.
• Will MacGechan: a Scottish actor best known for playing Laurence Hardman on the BBC’s long-running series “Doctor Who”.
• Ainsley MacGechan: a Canadian filmmaker and campaigner, currently the President of Women's Media Centre Canada.

Other surnames

MacGeachieMacGeachinMacGeachy