Surname McLennan - Meaning and Origin

McLennan: What does the surname McLennan mean?

The last name McLennan is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name MacGilleFhinnein, which means "son of the servant of St Finnan." The name Finnan was borne by an Irish bishop who converted the Picts to Christianity in the 6th century. The surname often denotes a religious affiliation or service to St. Finnan. This name is most commonly found in Ross-shire and Lewis where families held a family seat from ancient times. Like many Scottish surnames, McLennan was anglicized when scribes recorded it, leading to several different spellings. Variations of the surname include MacLennan, MacLenan, McLennan, and many more. Despite the different spellings, they generally have the same root and meaning. It represents the strong influence of Christianity in Scottish history and cultural heritage.

McLennan: Where does the name McLennan come from?

The surname McLennan has a rich Gaelic origin. It specifically originates from Scotland, and it rose from the Scottish Gaelic name “MacGille Fhinnein,” implying “son of the follower of St. Finnan.” It's an Anglicized form of this Gaelic name. The MacLennan clan was recognized in the Scottish Highlands for centuries, especially around Ross-shire and Perthshire.

Today, this surname is less common than in historical times, but individuals with this surname can still be found primarily in countries where Scottish people emigrated, including the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. However, the distribution of this surname is still widespread across Scotland, particularly in parts of the north and west known as the Highlands. Despite its rich history and dwindling prevalence, McLennan remains a proud testimony to the ancestral lineage of the Scottish people.

Variations of the surname McLennan

The surname McLennan originated in the Scottish Highlands is derived from the Gaelic MacGilleFhinnein which means "son of the servant of St. Finnan". The name Finnan is derived from the Gaelic 'fionn', meaning 'white'. It primarily denotes roots from the counties of Ross and Inverness in Scotland.

There are several variants and spellings of the surname McLennan due to different regional accents and also due to Anglicization over time. Some of these variants include MacLennan, McLendon, MacLendon, MacLenan, MacLenon, MacLennon.

In terms of surnames of the same origins, names such as MacLean, MacLaine, and McClain could be considered as they also have roots in the Gaelic language and similar formations. However, they denote different distinct clans and are not directly linked to McLennan.

Other phonetically similar sounding surnames derived from other origins like McLendon (of Irish origin), or MacLinden (of Irish and Manx origin) may be sometimes confused with McLennan, despite their distinct heritages.

It's also worth noting that in older or more traditional documents, these surnames might be prefixed with “M'” rather than “Mac”, shortening the name to e.g., M'Lennan or M'Lenan.

Famous people with the name McLennan

• Scott McLennan: Former US Secretary of Agriculture
• Mike McLennan: Professional hockey player
• Malcolm McLennan: Canadian professor and author
• Stewart McLennan: Politician and former member of the Legislative Assembly of Saskatchewan
• Christine McLennan: American model
• Robert McLennan: British soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross
• Angus McLennan: Scottish soldier and recipient of the Victoria Cross
• Roger McLennan: Writer and editor
• James McLennan: Author and barrage balloon operator
• Hugh McLennan: Scottish actor and radio presenter
• Isabel McLennan: Scottish artist and philanthropist
• Elizabeth McLennan: American opera singer
• May McLennan: Scottish nurse and suicide prevention activist
• Anna McLennan: Australian photographer and painter
• Charles McLennan: Canadian photographer, postmaster and businessman
• Aeneas McLennan: New Zealand army officer and Victoria Cross recipient
• Dorothea McLennan: Australian writer and activist
• W.E. McLennan: Canadian actor and stage manager
• Dorothy McLennan: Canadian nurse and professor
• Ed McLennan: American film director and producer

Other surnames

McLennonMcLenny