Surname MacMilan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacMilan: What does the surname MacMilan mean?
The surname MacMilan has Scottish origins. It is derived from the Gaelic "MacMhaolain," which comes from the word "maol," meaning bald or tonsured. This term was often used metaphorically to refer to a devout person who, like a monk or a priest, might have had their head shaved as a sign of religious devotion or service. Therefore, MacMilan can be interpreted as "son of the bald or tonsured one," suggesting a family lineage of religious service. Over time, as is the case with many surnames, spelling variations have developed, and MacMillan, McMillan, Macmilan, and MacMullan are among the many alternate spellings. It is a common surname in Scotland and Northern Ireland, and it is especially prevalent in regions such as Argyll, Galloway, and the Highlands.
Order DNA origin analysisMacMilan: Where does the name MacMilan come from?
The last name MacMilan, also spelled Macmillan, is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic "MacMhaolain" which means "son of the bald or tonsured one." This refers to a religious devotee, as early Celtic Christians often received a tonsure (shaved a part of their heads) in homage to St. John.
The MacMillan clan traces back to the 12th century in Scotland, and has roots in Knapdale, Lochaber, and Galloway areas. In Ireland, the MacMillans are associated with Counties Antrim and Down.
Various branches of the clan established themselves in several Scottish Highland areas, such as Lochaber and Knapdale. The chiefly family, MacMillan of MacMillan and Knap, settled in Lochaber.
Today, the surname MacMilan/Macmillan is widespread throughout Scotland, Ireland, and English-speaking countries including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand due to historical emigration. However, it is most common in Scotland.
Variations of the surname MacMilan
MacMilan is a Scottish surname that has undergone multiple variations and spellings throughout history due to regional dialects and phonetic misspellings. The primary root of the name is a combination of "Mac," meaning "son of," and "Milan," an Anglicized version of the Irish name "Maolán."
Several common variants of this surname include McMillan, MacMillan, McMillen, and McMillin. Other related spellings could be MacMullan, MacMullen, MacMullin, McMullan, McMullen, and McMullin. Some other forms with a slightly altered structure, retaining the same meaning are M‘Millan, McMilan, and MacMilan.
The use of the "M‘" or "Mc" was also later dropped in some instances, leading to further derivates like Millan, Millen, Millin, Mullan, Mullen, Mullin, etc.
Please note that these spellings might have developed their own histories and origins over time in different geographies, although they trace back to the same root. Occasionally, the existence of same or similar surnames in the different cultural contexts may not necessarily point towards a common origin.
Famous people with the name MacMilan
- Michael MacMillan: Canadian film and television executive and producer, best known for his founding role at Alliance Atlantis, a large Canadian entertainment company.
- David MacMillan: Chemistry professor at Princeton University, known for his ground-breaking research in organic chemistry.
- Douglas MacMillan: Scottish philanthropist best known for his generous donations to a wide variety of causes over the years.
- Dean MacMillan: Canadian NHL ice hockey coach who served as the head coach for the Toronto Maple Leafs and the Calgary Flames.
- Arnold MacMillan: British Conservative politician and Prime Minister of the United Kingdom from 1957 to 1963.
- Wallace MacMillan: Scotch-Canadian businessman and politician, best known for his work in the mining and rail industries in western Canada.
- Anna Hope MacMillan: First female mayor of a major Canadian city, serving from 1936 to 1940 in Ottawa.
- David MacMillan: British diplomat, serving as the Ambassador to India from 1916 to 1921.
- Sheila MacMillan: Canadian curler and Olympic silver medalist, who won a silver medal in the 2002 Salt Lake City Winter Olympics in the mixed-doubles curling event.
- William MacMillan: Scottish-Canadian journalist, author, and businessman, best known for his memoirs, which detail his life in British Columbia during the 19th century.