Surname MacLarney - Meaning and Origin

MacLarney: What does the surname MacLarney mean?

The surname MacLarney is of Irish origin. It is derived from the old Gaelic name Mac Latharna, which was taken from a personal name ‘Latharna’. It is the anglicized version of the Irish name.

The surname MacLarney is found in counties throughout Ireland, particularly in the Province of Ulster, where it is particularly common. The main authority for the surname in Ireland is the O'Loughlin sept, which was located near Cushendun, County Antrim in Ulster.

The surname MacLarney is found in many different parts of the world, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and even beyond.

The earliest known record of the surname MacLarney dates back to the fifteenth century, when it was associated with the O'Loughlin sept in Ulster. Since then, the surname has spread amongst different branches of the family, as well as being adopted by many generations as they spread their Irish ancestry all over the world.

Today, the surname MacLarney is still seen by many to indicate strong links to Irish heritage. It is associated with a strong sense of community, as those who carry the name all around the world, come together to celebrate their shared culture.

MacLarney: Where does the name MacLarney come from?

The surname MacLarney is most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland today. It originates from the Gaelic names Mac Giolla Earraigh and Mac Labhruinn, both of which were derived from the Hebrew name Lawrence. Mac Giolla Earraigh is the masculine version while Mac Labhruinn is the feminine version. The Anglicised form of the name is Larney and its variants such as McLarney and MacLarney are both popular across Scotland and Ireland.

In Ireland, the surname MacLarney is primarily concentrated in the Province of Connaught (now known as Leinster and Ulster). It is also found across Scotland in the counties of Stirling, Angus, and Perth. In the United States, the surname MacLarney is found primarily in Pennsylvania, New York, and Massachusetts, having been brought across by the Irish diaspora in the 19th century.

In more recent times, MacLarney is also found in Australia, New Zealand, Canada, and South Africa, as well as in other parts of Europe such as Germany, France, Denmark, and the Netherlands. This indicates the success of the surname’s migration since HL Larney, in the 1700s, was one of the first to Australia.

The MacLarney name is also found in other languages, such as French where it is written as LaRney, 'Larne' in German and Spanish, and 'Larny' in Italian.

Today John Mc Larney (1844-1921) is remembered as the explorer and founder of the town of Larney, in the state of New South Wales, Australia, in honour of his original family name. The explorer's route from Kerry, Ireland, to Larney is now a tourist attraction.

It is thanks to the perseverance and determination of the MacLarney family members through the ages that their name is so widely recognised today.

Variations of the surname MacLarney

MacLarney is an anglicized form of the Irish name Mac Giolla Chearaith, which in English means “son of the devotee of St. Ciaran”. Some of the variants, spellings, and surnames of MacLarney include MacGillarney, MacLarany, MacLeerney, MacHerney, McGlearny, McLerney, MacLorney, MacLearney, McGlerney, McLarney, and MacGillarony.

The surname was originally found in Ireland, and is most commonly associated with the Ulster province, in particular the counties of Donegal and Antrim. The McLarneys were a well-known clan which held significant influence in Ulster, and are believed to have had their origins in Scotland, before settling in Ireland in the late 16th century.

In Scotland, the McLarneys are sometimes spelled Macilarney, or MacLarney, although this is not always the case. MacLarney is sometimes found in Wales in the form of MacLarrowdy, and is also found as MacLorraine in France. McLarney is also common in the United States, where the name was introduced early on in the colonial period.

The McLarneys were a respected and powerful family in Ireland, and many prominent figures in Irish life trace their descent to the Clan. Prominent members of the McLarney family are thought to have included the Earl of Antrim, the 12th century Irish politician Robert MacLarney, and several noted academics and authors. The McLarneys are a long-standing part of Irish and Ulster culture, and this is reflected in the prominent role they have played in Irish history.

Famous people with the name MacLarney

• Gene MacLarney: former professional football player in the NFL, who played for the Baltimore Colts
• Gavin MacLarney: journalist
• Fergus MacLarney: a Scottish actor and writer
• John MacLarney: actor, director, and writer
• Elenora MacLarney: illustrator and author
• Chris MacLarney: professional golfer
• Eamonn MacLarney: a leading Irish Gaelic football player
• Mark MacLarney: a Scottish folk singer
• George MacLarney: an American film and television actor
• Antony MacLarney: an Irish-born composer and songwriter

Other surnames

MacLarnon