Surname McClearn - Meaning and Origin
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McClearn: What does the surname McClearn mean?
The surname McClearn has Irish origins. It is derived from the Gaelic name "MacClaerain," which means "Son of Claerain". The name Claerain is further derived from the personal name "Cléirchén," composed of two elements: "cléireach" meaning clerk, and a diminutive suffix "-án." This suggests the ancestors of the family were originally ecclesiastics or clerks. Many variations of the name such as McClaran, Mclernon etc. emerged due to the lack of a standardized spelling system in the early medieval period, whereby scribes recorded names according to their phonetic sound. Like many Irish names, bearers of the McClearn surname can be found around the world, particularly in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, due to the mass emigration from Ireland during the Great Famine in the 19th Century. Therefore, the surname McClearn indicates an ancestral lineage to families from Ireland.
Order DNA origin analysisMcClearn: Where does the name McClearn come from?
The last name McClearn is of Irish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Cléirigh," which translates to "son of the clerk" or "son of the scholar." Historically, these families have primarily been scribes and scholars. The McClearn family was a part of the Irish diaspora, and members of the family migrated to various parts of the world over several centuries, driven by economic necessity and geopolitical circumstances. Today, the surname McClearn is present in several countries, particularly those with strong Irish immigrant communities. It is quite common in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, and to a lesser degree in others like England. In the United States, the highest concentrations of families with the McClearn surname are typically found in states with high volumes of Irish immigration, such as Massachusetts and Pennsylvania. Despite the dispersion over time, Ireland continues to have people with the McClearn surname.
Variations of the surname McClearn
The surname McClearn may have different variants and spellings due to regional accents, mistranslations or simplifications, such as McLearn, McCleran, McClaren, McLarn, McClerren, McClernon, McGlarnon, McClaron, McCleary, McClellan, and McClearan.
These variations could also exist due to phonetic transcriptions from the original Irish or Scottish Gaelic forms. The surname itself is thought to have Irish origin, derived from Mac Giolla Uidhir, which means "son of the sallow lad." This phrase may have changed in spelling over time due to English language influences, leading to the different versions seen today.
Moreover, it is possible that the surname McClearn has similar surnames from the same origin like McClaren, McLarnon, and McClernand. Understanding the precise origin and variations of the surname McClearn can be complicated, due to the historical transformations and adaptations in different languages and regions.
Furthermore, some surnames might be anglicized versions of the original Irish or Scottish surnames. For example, MacLaren, McLaren, and McLarin are derived from the Scottish Gaelic MacLabhrainn, which means "son of Labhran" and could be considered in the same family as McClearn.
Famous people with the name McClearn
- Robert McClearn: Robert McClearn is a American Broadway/Off-Broadway actor and choreographer, having played in shows like All Shook Up, Man of La Mancha, and Beehive: The 60's Musical.
- Tim McClearn: The younger brother of Robert McClearn, Tim is known for his acting in the film All Bad Things. He is also a writer whose works have been featured in The New Yorker.
- John McClearn: A former music teacher at The University of Iowa, John McClearn was also a professor at the Actors Studio MFA in New York City.
- Robert McClearn Jr.: The son of Robert and brother of Tim, Robert is known for his work as a writer and director of the short film, Our Lady of the Lake.
- Jessica McClearn: The daughter of Robert and sister of Robert Jr, Jessica is a stage actress and playwright whose work has been featured in New York.
- Margot McClearn: Known for her performance as a lead dramatic role in the television series The L Word, Margot McClearn is also a successful movie actress.
- Lori McClearn: Lori is an American artist of mixed media who has exhibited her abstract paintings around the world.
- Alan McClearn: A British actor who has appeared in films and television shows such as A Clockwork Orange, Girl with a Pearl Earring, and War of the Worlds.
- Sean McClearn: Known for playing bass in Canadian band, The Tea Party, Sean McClearn has also been in multiple other musical groups.
- Keith McClearn: A former professional soccer player for the Minnesota Thunder, Keith McClearn currently coaches high school and college teams.