Surname MacLelland - Meaning and Origin
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MacLelland: What does the surname MacLelland mean?
The surname MacLelland is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "Mac Gille Fhaolain", which means "son of the servant of St Fillan". Saint Fillan was a hermit who performed missionary work in Scotland in the 700s, and his name was often used in personal names and place names. Over time, the original Gaelic name evolved into various forms, including MacLelland, and became a hereditary surname. Like many Scottish surnames, MacLelland is patronymic, meaning it is based on the name of a male ancestor. It reflects the deeply religious culture of early Gaelic society and the veneration of local saints. Today people bearing this surname can be found in many parts of the world due to the historic migration of Scots. The spelling of the name can vary, with some common variations including McClelland, MacClelland and McLelland.
Order DNA origin analysisMacLelland: Where does the name MacLelland come from?
The surname MacLelland is of Scottish origin. It derived from the Gaelic Mac Gille Fhaolain or Mac Giolla Eoin, which means 'son of the servant of St Fillan or St John'. The name is associated with the Galloway region in Scotland, though branches of the family were also established in northern Ireland and Canada. The spelling of the surname has undergone numerous changes over the centuries including MacLellan, Maclellan, MacLelland, MacLeland and others, due to the translation from Gaelic to English.
Today, it is found in various regions of the world due to the dispersion of Scottish people, but it stays more common in places like Scotland, Ireland, Canada, and the United States. According to various genealogy research databases, the surname MacLelland is most common in the U.S., Scotland, and Australia. Despite being a relatively uncommon surname, MacLelland carries a unique historical significance tied to Scottish heritage.
Variations of the surname MacLelland
The surname MacLelland is derived from a Scottish origin. Over time, this original surname has developed several variations and alternates in spelling due to regional dialects, geographical changes, and transcription errors. The common variants and spellings for MacLelland include MacLellan, MacClelland, McClelland, Maclellan, McClellan, McLellan, McLelland, McLellon, McLeland, Mclelland, and McCleland.
Moreover, in some scenarios, the prefix 'Mac' is often dropped, resulting in surnames like Lelland, Clelland, or Cleland. Also, sometimes the spelling changed when families moved to different countries. For example, when some Maclellan families emigrated to France, their surname was recorded as Maclane.
Other possible spelling variations, especially evident in old documents and records, could include double consonants or altered vowels, like McLellin, McLelland, McClallen, or McLellon. These variations all essentially have the same root or etymological origin as MacLelland.
In conclusion, the surname MacLelland and its variants reflect the rich history and diversity of linguistic evolution and family lineage. Surnames like these serve as familial identifiers and cultural connections to our ancestry and heritage.
Famous people with the name MacLelland
- Jennifer MacLelland: Canadian singer-songwriter.
- David MacLelland: Canadian athlete, winner of the 1985 Lou Marsh Award for outstanding athlete of the year.
- Scott MacLelland: English singer and songwriter, best known as the frontman of chart-topping band, The Proclaimers.
- Jackie MacLelland: Scottish film and television actor, best known for her role in the BBC television series Monarch of the Glen.
- Connor MacLelland: Canadian actor, who appeared in the films Douglas Coupland's JPod and The Stanley Dynamic.
- Deborah MacLelland: Canadian playwright and stage director, best known for writing and directing the musical Alberta Bound.
- Jessie MacLelland: American singer and songwriter, best known for her work in pop, country and jazz music.
- John MacLelland: British composer and musician, best known for writing the score for the BBC series Jam & Jerusalem.
- Ross MacLelland: Canadian artist, whose paintings and illustrations have appeared in newspapers, magazines, and books.
- Alison MacLelland: Scottish historian and author, best known for her books on early modern Scotland.