Surname McClenathan - Meaning and Origin

McClenathan: What does the surname McClenathan mean?

The last name McClenathan is an Irish surname, believed to come from the old Gaelic name "Mac Clenatain" meaning "son of Clenatain". It is believed that the original form of the name was "Mac Claonatain", but this was eventually changed to "Mac Clenatain". The surname was first recorded in Ireland and Scotland in the 11th century.

This name has a number of spellings, including McClenaghan, McLenaghan and McClenathan. It is a common name, found especially in Ulster and the Scottish Lowlands. It is likely to have had a number of different variations over the centuries.

The meaning of this name is uncertain but it is likely to have come from words referring to a person who was brave or warlike. For example, the word "clen" in the original Gaelic form of the name could have referred to one who was brave or strong in battle. Alternatively, "clen" could have referred to a leader or chief of a clan.

This surname was likely adopted by Irish and Scottish immigrants when they moved to other countries, such as the United States. It is still widely used by people of Irish and Scottish descent around the world.

McClenathan: Where does the name McClenathan come from?

The last name McClenathan is of Scots-Irish descent and is most commonly found in the United States and Canada today. The family settled in America in the 1700s and spread out, primarily in the states of Maryland, Pennsylvania, Virginia, and North Carolina. Today, you will find McClenathans in many states across the US and even as far west as the Pacific Coast. Many have also migrated to Canada, primarily settling in the provinces of Ontario and British Columbia.

It is believed that the ancestral hometown of the McClenathan surname is Newtownhamilton in the county of Armagh, Northern Ireland. This is supported by historic records that trace the migration of the family from that area to the American colonies. Interestingly, many members of the family have Bonnie Scotland and Irish Northern ancestry, an interesting combination of cultures that have added a unique touch to the McClenathan name.

The McClenathan name can also be seen in many records across the US and Canada, including military service records, censuses, newspapers, and other research databases. The literary contributions of various members of the family across the centuries have also helped keep the McClenathan name alive.

Variations of the surname McClenathan

McClenathan is a Scottish surname originating from the German name "MacGlannan". It was first recorded in Scotland during the 12th - 13th centuries when Barons of the County of Ayrshire settled in Scotland from Germany. McClenathan is a variant spelling of the name which has many other forms including MacClenan, MacGlannan, MacLennan, MacGlennan, MacClan and MacGlenan. Surnames from this same origin are McGlannan, Gleannan, Glenan, Clenan, Clennan, Glanney, Glannan, Clannan, Clanan and Clan.

McClenathan is a generally uncommon surname in the US. there are only an estimated 100 people with this spelling. It mostly found in Scotland and in the Southern United States. The highest concentration of people with the McClenathan surname in the US live in Texas and Oklahoma.

The McClenathans are descendants of the Clan of the Macleans of Coll, a warlike and Celtic people whose homeland was located on the Island of Coll off the Scottish West Coast. The Clan was founded by Lachlan Lubanach and became an important and powerful clan from the 13th century onward. In the US, most of the Clan had become Protestant by the late 18th century and later, Gaelic speakers. The McClenathans are known to be proud of their Scottish roots and are passionate about staying true to their culture.

Famous people with the name McClenathan

• Cory McClenathan: an American drag racer and former professional NHRA Top Fuel competition driver.
• Sarah McClenathan: an American former professional ice hockey player.
• Scott McClenathan: an American tennis player.
• Phebe McClenathan: an American Broadway actress.
• Steve McClenathan: a retired professional American football player.
• Dennis McClenathan: an American mountain climber and outdoor athlete.
• Jeffrey McClenathan: an American professor of mathematics.
• Sidney McClenathan: American politician and former Mayor of Cheyenne, Wyoming.
• Bill McClenathan: a former professional American football player.
• Mary McClenathan: an American folk singer and songwriter.

Other surnames

McClenathen