Surname McAlindon - Meaning and Origin

McAlindon: What does the surname McAlindon mean?

McAlindon is an Irish surname. It is an anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Giolla Fhionntain or Mac Giolla Fhiondain, which means 'son of the servant of (Saint) Fintan'. Saint Fintan was an Irish saint who led the life of a hermit, commemorated on Feb 17. The name reflects a historical practice of naming after a popular saint to invoke their spiritual protection. This name was first found in counties Tyrone and Clare where they held a family seat from very ancient times. Despite its religious origins, the surname McAlindon doesn't necessarily imply a genealogical link to the saint; the designator "Mc" or “Mac” means "son of" but was often used to denote broader relationships or affiliations.

McAlindon: Where does the name McAlindon come from?

The surname McAlindon is of Irish origin. The prefix "Mc" is an abbreviation of the Gaelic "mac" meaning "son of." While the second part "alindon" is harder to decipher, it could possibly refer to a personal name or location in Ireland. Like many Irish surnames, McAlindon may have multiple derivations and could have evolved differently in various regions. The name is not very common and, over generations, it may have been anglicised in different ways, resulting in various spelling versions.

Today, individuals with the surname McAlindon can be found in several countries, owing to Irish diaspora from times of mass migration, such as during the Great Famine in the mid-19th century. These countries include Ireland, the UK, the United States, Australia, and Canada. However, it is not a particularly prevalent surname, even in these countries. The largest concentrations of individuals with the McAlindon surname are likely to be found in Northern Ireland and in communities of Irish ancestry abroad.

Variations of the surname McAlindon

The surname McAlindon is of Irish origin and its variants can be found throughout Scotland, Ireland, and areas of the United States where Irish immigrants mainly settled. It is derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Giolla Fhiondain, which translates to 'son of St. Findan's servant'. Different spellings or variants of this name are based on regional variations, Anglicization, or phonetic spellings.

A few of the possible variations of 'McAlindon' are:

- MacAlindon

- McAlendon

- MacAlendon

- McAllindon

- MacAllindon

It is also common to see variations that completely drop the prefix 'Mc' or 'Mac', such as:

- Alindon

- Allindon

- Alendon

- Allendon

Alternate surnames sharing this origin can include completely different appearing names such as Lindon, Linden, Glendon, and Glindon due to the translation and Anglicization processes.

It's important to note that spelling variations can also occur within the same family, based on personal preference, literacy levels, or clerical errors in documentation. Each variant carries the rich history and heritage of its origins.

Famous people with the name McAlindon

• Emmet McAlindon: Co-founder of The Dolphin Point Group, aimed to create a better life for children with disabilities and their families.
• Izzy McAlindon: Irish professional footballer who currently plays for Bray Wanderers
• Laurence McAlindon: Canadian actor, best known for starring in the 2019 movie The Drowning
• Mark McAlindon: English professional footballer
• Sean McAlindon: Former Irish footballer
• Johnny McAlindon: Scottish actor, best known for his role in the 2021 movie Red Road
• Christine McAlindon: Irish-American director, screenwriter, and producer
• Thomas McAlindon: British professional CrossFit athlete
• Robert McAlindon: Union army soldier during the American Civil War
• Eileen McAlindon: British theatre director and actor

Other surnames

McAlindenMcAlindin