Surname McGlacken - Meaning and Origin

McGlacken: What does the surname McGlacken mean?

The last name McGlacken is a Scottish Irish surname of ancient origin, thought to have derived from the Gaelic Mac Ghiolchain, which translates to "son of Gilchrist". Gilchrist is a compound name composed of two elements, “gille”, which translates to “servant” or “devotee of”, and “Christ”, from the Greek term for “Messiah”.

The McGlacken surname is related to the old aristocratic line of the MacGillachains. This familial line was famous throughout Scotland and Ireland in the 16th century, and their descendants eventually settled along the Scottish-Irish borderlands in the centuries that followed. The McGlackens were known for their bravery and skill on the battlefield, and it was said that it was oftentimes they who led the charge.

The McGlackens also had a deep spiritual life, and practiced a highly devout form of Celtic Christianity. This spiritual life bound the MacGillachains together, and they looked to their ancient faith for guidance and support in times of strife. This spirituality lives on in the McGlacken name, and can be seen today in churches, cemeteries, and other physical monuments related to the ancient faith.

Thus, the McGlacken surname is a proud reminder of an illustrious past, and a testament to the strength and faith of those who bore the name. It is a tribute to a courageous people who were willing to stand up for what they believed in, and to a resilient spirit that still shines through today.

McGlacken: Where does the name McGlacken come from?

The last name McGlacken is most common today in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is also found in North America and Australasia, particularly among recent immigrants from Scotland or Northern Ireland, and in other countries settled by Scots or Irish people.

The McGlacken family is of Scottish or Irish origin and is thought to have been derived from the Gaelic for “son of a man of the glen.” It was most common in the counties of Ulster, particularly in Donegal, and in Scotland, particularly in Angus, Aberdeenshire, Perthshire, and Inverness-shire.

In America, the McGlacken name is most often associated with Pennsylvania, due to the fact that a large number of Irish immigrants came to the region during early settlement. It is also found in the New England states, including New Hampshire and Rhode Island, as well as in Canada and South Africa.

In more recent times, the McGlacken name has spread to Australia, New Zealand, and other parts of the world, as people have emigrated to build a better life for themselves. The McGlacken family has had a significant influence on history, with William McGlacken, the first president of Cornell University, and William Ashton McGlacken, an inventor and businessman in the British firearms industry, among its more famous members.

Today, the McGlacken name is still in use, and is found throughout the world in places where Scots and Irish immigrants have settled and raised families. It is a testament to the hard work and dedication of these immigrants that the McGlacken name is still found across the world today, more than 200 years after its first bearers arrived in North America.

Variations of the surname McGlacken

The surname McGlacken is a variation of the Scottish surname ‘MacGillakane’ or ‘MacGillakeen’. The surname originated from the Gaelic-Irish name ‘Mac Gill paidh’, which means ‘son of the servant of a saint’.

Variations of the surname can include: McGilleken, MacGlacken, MacGileken, MacGillacken, McGlackin, MacGlackin, McGilliken, and MacGillican.

Spellings of the surname such as ‘McGlocken’ and ‘MacGlacken’ have been recorded in records, but the ‘McG’ and ‘MacG’ prefix is still used today when referring to this surname.

It is also common to find this surname spelled ‘McGlecken’ in some sources.

The surname McGlacken can also be found with the spelling of ‘McGlaken’, ‘McGlacking’, or ‘McGlaughlen’.

Surnames that are the same or closely related to McGlacken include: Gilken, Gillacken, Gilleken, Gilliken, and Gillean.

The Americanised version of the surname McGlacken is ‘McGlacon’. In Scotland, the surname has also been associated with the Clan MacLachlan.

The surname McGlacken still persists today in its various forms. The surname is most commonly found in Scotland, United States, Canada, Australia, and Ireland.

Famous people with the name McGlacken

• John McGlacken, ice hockey goaltender and NCAA champion
• Thomas McGlacken, college football coach
• Jordan McGlacken, country music singer
• Jonathan McGlacken, American football player
• Joe McGlacken, Major League Baseball pitcher
• Ezra McGlacken, actor
• George McGlacken, American actor
• Henry McGlacken, Canadian professional ice hockey defenseman
• Martin McGlacken, American judge of the Supreme Court of Appeals of Virginia 10.Angela McGlacken, American postpunk musician

Other surnames

McGlackin