Surname MacSparran - Meaning and Origin
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MacSparran: What does the surname MacSparran mean?
The last name MacSparran originates from Scotland, and is an Anglicised version of the Gaelic name Mac an Sparainn, which literally translates as "son of the Bishop". This suggests that the original bearer of the name was descended from either a Bishop himself, or was the son of a Bishop.
The surname is most commonly found in areas around the west coast of Scotland, particularly in the Argyll and Bute region, which is potentially where the original Mac an Sparainn family originated.
As is the case for other surnames originating from the north and west of Scotland, the MacSparran surname is associated with Clan MacDonald of Sleat; a clan of Scottish Highlanders which was traditionally based in the islands of Skye and the western coasts of Scotland. The clan's surnames were MacDhomhnuill, MacGioraidh and, of course, MacSparran.
The word 'Sparran' itself has an interesting history; coming from the Middle English sparre, or spar, it can refer either to a 'mallet' or 'tool' which would have been used by Bishops in religious ceremonies. Alternatively, it could refer to a 'cross' which again, would have been used in such ceremonies and could have been a tool of the Bishops.
In keeping with the religious connotations, MacSparran is also the name of an ancient parish in Cornwall, which is another example of how this name has left its mark across the British Isles.
Order DNA origin analysisMacSparran: Where does the name MacSparran come from?
The last name MacSparran is most commonly found in parts of Scotland and Ireland today. It is of Scottish origin, which is derived from the Gaelic “Mac an Sparainn” meaning “son of the sparrow”.
The earliest recorded reference of the name MacSparran dates back to 1402 in Kilmory, where it is recorded as Macc dyspadyn. The name can also be found spelled in various ways, such as MacSparron and MacSparon.
In Scotland, it is most commonly found in the counties of Argyll, Wigtown, Ayr, and later in Lanarkshire, where there was an estate called “MacSparranness”. In Ireland, the name is mostly associated with counties Dublin and Donegal where there were numerous references to the name MacSparran in the 17th century. Some of the earliest recorded family records indicate that several of the MacSparran family moved from Scotland to Ireland sometime during the 19th century.
The prevalence of the name MacSparran today in Scotland and Ireland is relatively low. As of the latest census data, there are a little under 350 individuals in Scotland and Ireland combined who have the last name MacSparran.
Variations of the surname MacSparran
MacSparran is an ancient surname of Scottish origin derived from a Scottish Gaelic phrase, meaning ‘son of Spàran’. Spàran, in turn, is derived from spùir, meaning spur or spur-rowel. Thus, MacSparran originally defined a person as the ‘son of the spur-rowel maker’.
The variants, spellings and surnames of MacSparran can vary broadly. Alphabetic variations include MacSparken, MacSparker, MacSparron, MacSparran, MacSparren, MacSparkin, MacSparrin, MacSwapan, MacSparwin, MacSpiran and MacSpiran.
Anglicised variations of MacSparran can also be found, such as Spark, Sparkes, Sparke, Sparks, Sparrow, Sparr, Sparron, Sparran, Sparren, Sperr, Sperran, Spiron, Sporon, Spurr, Spurran, and Spurron.
Furthermore, MacSparran can manifest as a patronymic surname, such as MacSpiron, MacSpurran, MacSparon, and MacSproan; and Hypocoristic nicknames such as Sparkin, Sparkey, Parkin, Parkon, Parran, Parrron, Paron, and Parron.
Overall, MacSparran is a very ancient surname of Scottish origin, with a multitude of variants, spellings and related surnames.
Famous people with the name MacSparran
- James MacSparran (1707-1767), American Congregationalist minister
- Rob MacSparran (1984-present), Canadian actor, singer-songwriter, and teacher
- Richard MacSparran (1762-1843), son of James MacSparran, American Congregationalist minister
- Jesse MacSparran (1798-1877), son of Richard MacSparran, American merchant and captain of industry
- Augustus George MacSparran (1811-1898), son of Jesse MacSparran, American brigadier-general in the Civil War
- Montgomery MacSparran (1863-1932), son of Augustus George MacSparran, American naval officer, judge, and author
- Francis MacSparran (1766-1836), son of James MacSparran, American jurist
- Edward MacSparran (1802-1860), son of Francis MacSparran, American senator
- Robert MacSparran (1833-???), son of Edward MacSparran, American lawyer and politician
- Kristoff MacSparran (????- present), Canadian Actor and musician