Surname McLellan - Meaning and Origin

McLellan: What does the surname McLellan mean?

The last name McLellan is of Scottish origin and literally translates to "son of Fillan." Fillan is derived from the Gaelic personal name Faolán, which means 'little wolf.' This surname is common among individuals with Scottish or Irish ancestry. The "Mc" prefix in Scottish and Irish surnames typically signifies familial relation or descent, indicating 'son of' or 'descendant of.' Therefore, someone carrying the McLellan surname would be understood as a son or descendant of Fillan. It's worth noting that various spelling versions of the name exist due to historical shifts in language and translation, including MacLellan, McLellan, MacLelland, and others. Another variant is St. Fillan, a name often associated with a revered 8th-century Irish missionary monk who conducted religious work in Scotland. Throughout history, the MacLellans have been a well-known Scottish clan hailing from Galloway in south-west Scotland.

McLellan: Where does the name McLellan come from?

The surname McLellan is of Scottish origin, specifically from Galloway in Southwestern Scotland. The name is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Gille Fhaolain" which translates to "son of the servant of St. Fillan". St. Fillan was a popular Irish missionary during the 7th century who spread Christianity in Scotland.

In the 13th century, the McLellans became influential as they held the Castle of Threave. However, political conflict in the 16th century led many McLellans to disperse across Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Today, the McLellan surname can typically be found in countries that experienced significant Scottish emigration. These include the United States, where the largest population of McLellans reside, particularly in the states of Maine and Michigan. In addition, many McLellans have also migrated to Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Despite this global spread, there is still a significant number of McLellans residing in Scotland and Northern Ireland. The McLellan surname is less common but still exists in pockets across Europe.

Variations of the surname McLellan

The surname McLellan has various spelling variations due to regional dialects and phonetic translations. Some of the common alternate spellings include MacLellan, McClelland, MacLelland, McLelland, McClellan, McLellon, MacClelland, and MacClellan.

The McLellan surname is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic personal name "MacGilleFhaolain," meaning 'son of the servant of St. Fillan.' St. Fillan was an Irish missionary, who became popular in Scotland in the 8th century. The region of Galloway in Southern Scotland is said to be the clan's traditional homeland.

McLellan, and its variants, are patronymic surnames - they derive from an ancestor's given name. In this case, they denote "son of Gille Fhaolain" or "son of the servant of St. Fillan'.

Similar surnames of the same origin and meaning could include McFillan and MacFillan, though these are less common. McLellan's can also be traced back to numerous spelling variations in old documents, including MacLelan, MacClellane, MacLelland just to name a few.

You might come across different variants of the name McLellan across the world due to migration and localization.

Famous people with the name McLellan

• Steven McLellan: a Canadian NHL coach who is currently the head coach of the Edmonton Oilers.
• Brian McLellan: a former professional ice hockey player turned coach, he is the current head coach for the Washington Capitals.
• Leanne McLellan: a professional snowboarder who represented Canada in the 2002 and 2009 Winter Olympics.
• Tréa McLellan: a professional hockey player and current captain of the Calgary Inferno of the Canadian Women's Hockey League.
• Rob McLellan: an English footballer who plays for Gateshead in the National League North.
• Jude McLellan: a Canadian law professor and the current Dean of Dalhousie University’s Schulich School of Law.
• Sandy McLellan: a Canadian actress, writer and director, best known for her portrayal of Libby in the film The Dark Hours.
• Garrick McLellan: a musician and the lead singer of the alternative rock band Upper Class Poverty.
• Siobhan McLellan: a Canadian actress, best known for her role as Amelia in the CBC Television show, Bellevue.
• Ryan McLellan: a professional soccer player who plays for the Ottawa Fury FC.

Other surnames

McLelland