Surname McLerran - Meaning and Origin

McLerran: What does the surname McLerran mean?

The surname McLerran is of Scottish origin. It is considered to be a variant of MacLaren, a name that originated from the Gaelic "Mac Labhrainn" which roughly translates to "son of Labhrann" or "son of Lawrence." The surname McLerran reflects a patronymic system where a component of a personal name is based on the given name of one's father, or a male ancestor. The McLerran family were traditionally a part of the Scottish Clan MacLaren, known historic residents of the highland area of Strathearn, Perth and Kinross in Scotland. Clan MacLaren is associated with the lands of Balquhidder and Loch Earn. The specific meaning or occupational connection with this surname, like many surnames, can vary and may have evolved over time. This name is not extremely common, but most commonly found in Scotland and countries of Scottish diaspora like the United States, Canada, and Australia. It should also be noted that the name can also be spelled differently such as McLaren, MacLerran, McLeran, or McLerron.

McLerran: Where does the name McLerran come from?

The surname McLerran is of Scottish origin. It is believed to have been derived from the Gaelic Mac Gille Fhaolain, which means "son of the servant of St. Fillan." St. Fillan was a venerated 8th-century Irish missionary who established an influential church in Scotland.

However, the McLerran name, like many other Scottish surnames, could also have been associated with a particular clan or heraldic symbol at some point in history.

Today, the McLerran surname is not incredibly common. It is most frequently found in the United States, specifically within the states of Tennessee and Texas. The name is also present, although less common, in Canada, Scotland, and other parts of the world where Scottish emigrants have settled. In many cases, variations in spelling (such as McLerron, McLeran, and McLerren) exist, reflecting the various phonetic translations and transformations that occurred as members of the McLerran family moved to different regions and countries.

Variations of the surname McLerran

The surname McLerran originates from Scotland and is derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Learan, which means 'son of Learan'. Variants and alternative spellings of the name McLerran may include MacLerran, McLaran, McLaren, MacClaran, MacLaren, McClaran, MacLeran, McLeran, MacLaurin, McLaurin, and MacLarin. Throughout the years, the surnames have been written in various ways due to a multitude of reasons such as differing dialects and phonetic spellings by clerks and scribes. Additionally, many families chose to Anglicize or Americanize their names when immigrating to English-speaking countries, which may also add to the variety of spellings. The name may also occur with prefixes such as 'Mac', 'Mc', or 'M' depending on regional usage and personal or familial preference. The surname can have various spellings due to different phonetic interpretations and translations over time and across regions.

Famous people with the name McLerran

• Gregory McLerran: Gregory McLerran is a retired Major League Baseball infielder who played for the Los Angeles Dodgers and San Diego Padres from 1975–1981.
• Thomas McLerran: Thomas McLerran is an American playwright, director, and professor who has produced numerous plays and worked as a director and dramaturg at New York University.
• William McLerran: William McLerran is an American lawyer and the former Acting Director of the Bureau of Alcohol, Tobacco, Firearms and Explosives (ATF).
• Bill McLerran: Bill McLerran is an American former tennis player. He was a member of the United States Junior Davis Cup team in 1965 and competed in the doubles with fellow Hall-of-Famer Cliff Richey.
• William Beardslee McLerran: William Beardslee McLerran served as a brigadier general in the United States Army during World War I. He was also the National Commander of the American Legion in 1919.
• Ben McLerran: Ben McLerran is an American journalist who has written for The New York Times, Slate, and the Washington Post.
• Richard McLerran: Richard McLerran is an American composer and photographer. He has composed music for film, television, and stage productions.
• Thomas E. McLerran Jr.: Thomas E. McLerran Jr. was a Rear Admiral in the United States Navy who served during the Spanish-American War and World War I. He was awarded the Navy Cross for heroism in action during the latter.
• Frank McLerran: Frank McLerran was an Congressman who served two terms from 1939 to 1943. He was also the Chairman of the House Committee on Agriculture during his tenure.
• Larry McLerran: Larry McLerran is an American musician and record producer. He has worked with numerous artists including Prince, Babyface, and Lyfe Jennings.

Other surnames

McLerren