Surname MacKerron - Meaning and Origin
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MacKerron: What does the surname MacKerron mean?
The surname MacKerron is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic MacThoirein. The name literally means "son of Toirean." The exact meaning of the name Toirean is uncertain, but it is believed to be a diminutive form of "tòrr", meaning a mound or small hill, possibly used metaphorically to mean a leader. Therefore, MacKerron may be loosely interpreted as "son of the little leader" or "son of the little king". Origins and meanings of surnames can often be complex and multi-layered due to changes in language and cultural understanding over centuries. As with many surnames, the name MacKerron would have initially been used in ancient Scotland to denote lineage. Family surnames became necessary when governments introduced personal taxation, which was often known in England as Poll Tax. Therefore, MacKerron can indicate a familial line that traces back to a person referred to as Toirean in ancient Scotland.
Order DNA origin analysisMacKerron: Where does the name MacKerron come from?
The last name MacKerron is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Mhic Shearrain, which means 'son of Mac Shearrain'. The name Shearron possibly originated from the Gaelic personal name 'Sithearan', meaning 'wolf'. Most commonly, the MacKerron surname is associated with a clan from Strathnaver, a river valley in the north of Scotland.
Today the MacKerron surname is not particularly common, but you are likely to find the majority of MacKerrons in Scotland and other parts of the United Kingdom. Due to historical emigration patterns, you may also find people with this surname in countries that have a significant diaspora of Scottish people, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, in these countries, the name may have evolved or changed due to integration into local society or anglicisation efforts. Consequently, the surname might not be extensively recognized in these territories.
Variations of the surname MacKerron
The surname MacKerron is believed to be of Scottish origin. The name is derived from Gaelic Mac Odrain, which means "son of Odran". Odran was a popular personal name in Middle Ages Scotland, meaning "dark". It's related to variants Mackerran, McKerran, and MacKieron.
Alternative spellings could also include M'Kerron, M'Kieran, M'Carron or McCarron, which is more common in Ireland. Transcriptions errors due to phonetic spellings, unclear handwriting, and translation between languages through ages could be responsible for variations in the spelling of this surname.
There are also anglicized versions of the surname, which are often without the "Mac" prefix, resulting in names like Kerran or Kerron. The prefix "Mac" or "Mc" in Scottish and Irish surnames usually means "son of," so removing it was a common practice when families emigrated to English-speaking countries.
It's important to note that all these variations might not necessarily mean they share the same lineage as they might have originated independently in different regions.
Famous people with the name MacKerron
- Bob MacKerron: Actor, known for his roles in films such as ‘Transformers: Dark of the Moon’, ‘Pete’s Dragon’, and ‘Office Uprising’.
- Michael MacKerron: Musician and composer, known for composing music for popular television series and movies, such as ‘Buffy the Vampire Slayer’ and ‘Star Trek.’
- Greg MacKerron: Actor, known for his roles in films such as ‘The Ring’, ‘Eagle Eye’, and ‘Evan Almighty’.
- Jack MacKerron: Professional basketball player, best known for his time with the New York Knicks in the late 1990’s.
- Annie MacKerron: Award-winning Broadway and television actress, known for her roles in ‘Gypsy’, ‘Rent’, and ‘The Drew Carey Show’.
- Jim MacKerron: Voice actor and impressionist, known for his work on ‘The Simpsons’ and ‘Family Guy’.
- Paul MacKerron: Screenwriter and producer, known for writing the screenplay for the classic animated movie ‘The Iron Giant’.
- Alastair MacKerron: Author, best known for his books ‘The Art of Writing Well’ and ‘Writing under Pressure’.
- Edward MacKerron: Olympic-level runner, known for his gold medal performance in the 800-meter race at the 1972 Summer Olympics.
- David MacKerron: Artist, known for his iconic portraits of landscapes and wildlife painted with watercolors.