Surname McGlenn - Meaning and Origin
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McGlenn: What does the surname McGlenn mean?
The surname McGlenn is derived from an Ancient Scottish or Irish Gaelic name which means 'son of the follower of Saint Glenn'. The name Glenn itself is derived from the Gaelic word for 'valley'. It is thought that the Glen referred to in the name is likely to refer to the ancient kingdom of Dalriada in Ireland and Scotland.
The name McGlenn was initially found in county Antrim and Derry in Northern Ireland, where it was most commonly found in the 18th and 19th centuries. It may have been carried to these parts by soldiers returning from the British campaigns in Ireland. This could explain why the name McGlenn is now most common in Scotland, as many families migrated there during the Irish Potato famine.
The McGlenns were most often farmers or landowners in their home areas, but many members of the family travelled the world in search of new opportunities. Today, the McGlenns are most prominent in the United States, the United Kingdom, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand, as these countries have an abundance of immigration from the British Isles.
The McGlenns have a rich and varied history, which can be traced back to the middle ages when members of the family were loyal followers of the patron saint of their kingdom. They are certainly a proud and determined people, having been able to survive and thrive in many different countries.
Order DNA origin analysisMcGlenn: Where does the name McGlenn come from?
The last name McGlenn is most commonly found in North America. It is especially popular in the United States, where it is ranked as the 28,547th most common surname in the country according to the 1990 U.S. Census. In Canada, McGlenn is also relatively popular and ranks at 17,293rd most popular surname. The highest concentration of McGlenns in the United States can be found in the state of Missouri.
McGlenn is an Irish surname derived from a Gaelic clan name, Mac Giollaghléine. This can be translated as "son of the devotee of (St.) Glenn". It is very likely that today's McGlenns are descendants of Irish immigrants who traveled from either Ireland or Scotland to set up roots in North America during the great Irish emigration of the 18th and 19th centuries.
Despite its relative popularity in North America, McGlenn is still a relatively uncommon surname. Much like its Irish origins, the surname has remained fairly exclusive and can be difficult to trace through genealogical records. Today, McGlenns can still be found across the United States, Canada, and in some European countries, as well as in other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname McGlenn
McGlenn is an anglicized version of the Irish Gaelic surname Mac Gileain. Variants are MacGleann, MacGillan, MagLane, McLane, McGle ni, MacGlain, Maglenn, and McLenn.
McGlenn is the traditional spelling of the surname, however it can also be spelled as MacGleann, MacGillan, MagLane, McLane, McGle ni, MacGlain, Maglenn, and McLenn. The prefix Mac or Mc is an Irish variant of the Scottish Mack, and may be found at the beginning of the same name. The word ‘Gleann’ that appears in some of the variations means ‘valley’ and is a common term in place-names in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
The majority of Gaelic surnames were taken from the forename of a male ancestor. McGlenn is derived from the Irish first name Gillean, which was adapted from the Greek word “Eugenius”. This name means “noble”. The McLane, MagLane, and MacLane variations of the name are associated with Scotland, whereas the MacGillan, MacGlain, MacGleann, Maglenn, and McLenn variations are very much related to Ireland.
Thus, there are many different spellings and surnames of the same Gaelic origin for McGlenn. All can trace their roots back to Ireland or Scotland, with each surname being slightly different based on the origin of the original ancestor.
Famous people with the name McGlenn
- Rod McGlenn: American painter, educator and photographer
- Geena McGlenn: American digital influencer and artist
- Kenny McGlenn: American actor and comedian
- Matthew McGlenn: American sculptor and architect
- Mosi McGlenn: American poet and author
- Terry McGlenn: American singer and songwriter
- Jason McGlenn: American music producer and software designer
- Patrick McGlenn: American writer and actor
- Hannah McGlenn: American actress and model
- Sydney McGlenn: American musician, sound designer and visual artist