Surname McLain - Meaning and Origin
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A Revelatory Voyage Through The iGENEA DNA Test: Understanding The McLain Lineage and The Unexpected Viking Connection
Delving into my ancestry with the iGENEA DNA test, I discovered my surname McLain has roots steeping deep into Scotland's history. Yet, the unexpected revelation came with recognition of the profound Viking connection. This journey through my DNA encoded history gave me an unexpected insight into my familial lineage and its ancient migration patterns. It presented a fascinating blend of science and genealogy, filling gaps I never knew existed in my familial narrative.
S. McLain
read moreMcLain: What does the surname McLain mean?
McLain is a surname with roots in Scottish Gaelic, and it is a variant of MacLaine or MacLean. The name derives from "MacGill-Eain" in the Scottish Gaelic, meaning "son of the servant of John.” In this context, "gill" or "giolla" refers to a servant or a devotee, while "Eain" is a Gaelic form of John. The MacLean clan traces its origins back to the Scottish Isles, especially the island of Mull in the Inner Hebrides. Over time, the name has been transformed and anglicized into various forms such as MacLean, MacLaine, and McLain. However, they all carry the same original meaning with roots in devotion and service. As a last name, it does not carry a significant meaning beyond its translation and historical origin but remains a common surname in regions with Scottish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMcLain: Where does the name McLain come from?
The surname McLain is of Scottish origin. It originates from the personal name 'John,' and the Gaelic prefix 'Mac,' which means 'son of.' Therefore, McLain translates to 'son of John.' This surname is an anglicized version from the original forms Mac Gille Eathain or Mac Iain.
It has several variants, including MacLaine, McClain, MacLean and many others. This divergence is due to the diverse phonetic spelling that occurred in different regions and periods. The McLains were traditionally associated with the Scottish Highlands, particularly the islands of Mull and Tiree.
Today, the McLain surname is common in English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. In the United States, it is most prevalent in Texas, California, and Michigan. Despite its geographic spread, the surname McLain remains deeply rooted in Scottish tradition and history.
Variations of the surname McLain
The surname McLain is of Irish and Scottish origin and has several variations due to different translations and spellings over time. The surname is derived from the Gaelic Mac Gille Eathain which translates "son of the servant of Saint John."
Some common variations include: McLaine, McClain, Maclain, MacLain, McLane, MacLane, Maclean, MacLean, McLean, and Mclean. These are just a few variations derived from phonetic translations.
A lot of theses variations have originated from the different ways to spell the Gaelic "Mac Gille Eathain." Here, "Mac" means "son of", "Gille" means "servant" and "Eathain" is a form of the name John. Hence, variations of the name John in different languages could also lead to variations of the surname.
Lastly, because the name denotes a 'son of' it is common for the name to change with each generation, possibly leading to more variations. Furthermore, a change in geographic location could also result in a change in spelling or pronunciation, leading to even more variants of the surname McLain.
Famous people with the name McLain
- Denny McLain: Former Major League Baseball pitcher; won two Cy Young awards in 1968 and 1969.
- Alfred McLain: American Civil War Colonel; served with the 2nd Tennessee Volunteer Cavalry.
- Pete McLain: Former Major League Baseball pitcher; played for the Kansas City Athletics, St. Louis Cardinals and Cleveland Indians.
- Ed McLain: Baseball pitcher in the Negro Asian Leagues who was elected to the Baseball Hall of Fame in 2006.
- Sean McLain: Former professional basketballer who played for the Atlanta Hawks and Sacramento Kings.
- Tim McLain: Guitarist for the punk rock band Ramones.
- Jackie McLain: Playwright, artist and producer best known for her play ‘The Red Dress’.
- Sadie McLain: American poet and author of ‘Drifting Along the Lonely Road.’
- George B. McLain: US Army General who fought in World War I.
- Pat McLain: Singer-songwriter known for songs such as ‘Far Away Places.’