Surname McLearran - Meaning and Origin
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McLearran: What does the surname McLearran mean?
The last name McLearran is an anglicized form of the Scottish surname MacLearain which is a patronymic name derived from the given name Learan or Learain. This name means “[the] son of Learan”. The given name Learan is in turn derived from slang and colloquial versions of the Old Irish personal name Laighearn which means “spearman” and likely originated in the Irish province of Ulster. The source of the McLearran surname is likely a family of Ulster ancestral roots.
As a sept of the “clan MacDonnell” of Scotland, the McLearran family may have been the descendants of an Ulsterman who may have traveled from Ulster to Scotland in either the 13th or 14th century. MacDonnell of Scotland was also home to many other Ulster families who traveled there, and the McLearrans are thought to have been among them.
To this day, the McLearran name remains a popular surname in Scotland having roots going back centuries. The McLearrans may have began as a small family, but their presence is still visible in the modern day with many relatives and family members bearing the name.
Order DNA origin analysisMcLearran: Where does the name McLearran come from?
The last name McLearran is commonly found in Scotland, Ireland, Northern Ireland, Canada, and the United States of America.
The McLearran surname originated in Scotland and was likely derived from the Gaelic Mac Labhruinn. This likely means ‘son of Labhruinn’, with Labhruinn being an old first name meaning ‘steadfast’.
In Scotland, the McLearran surname is most often found in the region of the Western Isles, particularly the Isle of Lewis in Outer Hebrides. It is also found in Caithness in the far north east of Scotland, and throughout the Scottish Highlands.
McLearran surname variants are also found in Ireland, particularly in Ulster.
In Northern Ireland, the McLearran surname is concentrated mainly in County Antrim.
In Canada, McLearran surnames are especially common in Nova Scotia, particularly around Pictou county. There it is one of the most common surnames.
In the United States, the McLearran surname is found in the west, particularly in Montana, Wyoming, Idaho and Washington State. It is also found in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, likely due to 18th and 19th century Irish immigrants.
Today, many McLearrans are scattered across the world, with the surname being enjoyed more in some countries than others.
Variations of the surname McLearran
Variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname McLearran include MacLauran, MacLoring, McLarrin, MacLorran, MacClorran, MacLarin, McLorin, MacLorry, MacLurkin, MacLurkin, McLurk, and MacLure.
The Mac form of the surname is derived from the Irish and Scottish Gaelic MacLabhruinn which means "son of Labhruinn." The form McLarrin likely originates from the Scottish "MacGilleRiabhaich." The various other spellings of this surname likely stem from dialectal differences in the pronunciation of the original name, as well as the effects of migrations over the centuries.
The MacLurkin spelling is believed to originate from "MacGillebhrighde," which likely was the original form of the name in Ireland. The "bhrigde" element of the name is believed to be derived from the Gaelic brigh meaning vigor or power. The name is also most likely of Pictish origin.
The MacLoren spelling is possibly a anglicized version of the name McLaurin, which also is a variant form of the Scottish Gaelic name MacLabhruinn. The McLorin spelling appears to originate from Scotland, while the MacClorran version comes from the Scottish Gaelic MacGilleRiabhaich. The MacLoring spelling likely stems from a combined form of the Gaelic elements MacGille and riabhaich, which mean "son of the king's servant."
Finally, the MacLure spelling is believed to have developed from either the MacLurkin or MacLabhruinn variants and may have been influenced by the Scots Gaelic MacGilleLuthais. The Luthais element of the name refers to a wolf, or possibly someone with a Wolf-like character.
Famous people with the name McLearran
- Ainsley McLearran: Canadian Paralympic ice hockey player.
- Douglas McLearran: former Canadian Member of Provincial Parliament.
- Andy McLearran: former professional football player.
- Rose McLearran: Figure Skating Canada Hall of Fame member.
- Seamus McLearran: Irish-born Canadian former professional boxer.
- Robert McLearran: former British Governor of Trinidad and Tobago.
- Neil McLearran: voice actor and musician.
- Hugh McLearran: Provincially and Nationally Accredited judge.
- Kenneth McLearran: former Canadian Anglican bishop.
- Stu McLearran: former professional Canadian Football League player.