Surname McCloud - Meaning and Origin
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Tracing My McCloud Lineage with iGENEA: An Emotional Connection to My Ancestors
Embarking on a genetic journey with iGENEA brought unexpected emotional revelations. The discovery of roots tied to the McCloud Scottish clan reshaped perceptions of heritage and personally defined values, reinforcing a sense of identity and belonging.
C. McCloud
read moreMcCloud: What does the surname McCloud mean?
The last name McCloud is of Scottish origin and is an anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Leòid, meaning son of Leòd. Leòd is a personal name that is believed to mean "ugly" or "repulsive". Two different clans in Scotland have this surname: the MacLeods of Harris and the MacLeods of Lewis. The original ancestor named Leod was alive around the late 13th century. He was the progenitor of Clan MacLeod and was believed to be of Norse origin. The McCloud family was a powerful force and controlled vast lands and territories. McCloud, or its original form MacLeod, is a name known for its association with Scottish nobility and warrior class. Despite the less flattering literal meaning, the family that carries or once carried the name has been influential in Scottish history.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCloud: Where does the name McCloud come from?
The surname McCloud is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic name MacLeod, which means 'son of Leod'. Leod is an old Norse personal name.
There are two main branches of the MacLeod clan in Scotland - the MacLeods of Harris and the MacLeods of Lewis. The name is associated with the Islands of the Hebrides in the Western part of Scotland, specifically the Isle of Skye, and has a significant history dating back to the 13th century.
Today, the surname McCloud, along with its variations like MacLeod, McLeod and Mccleod, is found not just in Scotland, but has spread predominantly to countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia and New Zealand due to historical emigration. This spreading was primarily a result of the Highland clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries, when many Scottish families were forced to leave their homes. Despite this global dispersion, McCloud remains a relatively uncommon name compared to other Scottish surnames.
Variations of the surname McCloud
The surname McCloud has its roots in Scotland and is derived from the Gaelic name Mac Leòid, meaning "son of Leòd." The original Leòd was a Norse-Gaelic ruler during the 13th century. This name evolved over centuries and through emigration, numerous different spellings and variants have developed.
Common spellings and variants of the surname include: MacLeod, McLeod, Macleod, Mcloud, Mcleoud, MacClod, MacCloud, McClouds, and MacLeodin.
It should also be noted that in Scotland, the surname is often further categorized into two main branches: MacLeods of Harris and MacLeods of Lewis. During migration to English-speaking countries, the original pronunciation got anglicized, leading to further variations in spelling.
Nicknames or shortened versions of the last name McCloud could include names such as Cloud, M.C., Cloudy.
It is also possible to encounter rare or unusual variations owing to recording errors or individual choice. These may include different phonetic spellings not typically seen but are associated with the same historical origin.
Famous people with the name McCloud
- Chris McCloud: an American Rockabilly and Country musician active since the 1960s.
- Jimmy McCloud: an American actor who appeared in several notable films from the 1950s to the 1970s.
- Eric McCloud: an American comedian who was a regular on the Tonight Show during the 1970s.
- Terry McCloud: an American actress best known for her role on the sitcom Friends.
- Michael McCloud: an American country music artist who had several hits in the late 1990s.
- Jane McCloud: an American author and illustrator known for her children’s book series, The Marsupials of Oz.
- John McCloud: an American politician from Tennessee who served in the House of Representatives from 1985 to 1991.
- Deborah McCloud: an American actress who starred in several popular mid-90s films.
- Katie McCloud: an American singer-songwriter who had several radio hits in the early 2000s.
- Scott McCloud: an American comic book artist, writer, and developer of indie video game titles.