Surname McLinden - Meaning and Origin

McLinden: What does the surname McLinden mean?

The surname McLinden is of Irish origin and comes from the Gaelic language. It is derived from the personal name "Lindán." The prefix 'Mc' denotes 'son of.' Therefore, the surname McLinden can be interpreted as 'son of Lindán.' The name Lindán itself is a diminutive form of 'lind,' meaning 'shield' or 'defense.' So, in a broader sense, McLinden may carry connotations of 'son of the defender' or 'son of the shield bearer.' It is pertinent to remember that meanings of surnames can be approximate as they evolved over centuries and their original meanings might have altered or become obscure. Like many Irish surnames, the exact meaning can be difficult to pin down, as they have been influenced by many historical, linguistic, and cultural shifts over time. Origin and meanings of surnames can differ based on regions and dialects as well.

McLinden: Where does the name McLinden come from?

The last name McLinden is of Irish origin. The surname is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Giolla Fhiondain" which translates to "son of the servant of St. Fintan". The roots lie in the province of Ulster, in the north of Ireland.

Today, people bearing the McLinden surname are widely dispersed. While still common in Ireland, particularly in the Northern regions, the name has also spread abroad, particularly due to the Irish diaspora that occurred mainly in the 19th and early 20th centuries. Today, the McLinden surname can be found in various countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. However, like with many Irish surnames, the highest concentration of people with the McLinden surname remains in Ireland.

Variations of the surname McLinden

The surname McLinden is of Scottish-Irish origin and originated from the Gaelic name "Mac Giolla Fhiondain" which means "son of the servant of St. Fintan". Variations may be influenced by local dialects, translation from Gaelic to English, and spelling preferences.

Variant spellings and closely related surnames include McAlinden, MacLinden, MacAlinden, McLindon, Mc Lindon, McClelland, McClendon, McClellan, McClinton, and MacClinton.

While "Mc" and "Mac" are often used interchangeably, they both mean "son of". They are generally followed by the genitive case of a name, although in some cases the "nominative" follows "Mac". The "Fh" in "Mac Giolla Fhiondain" is silent so it has been mostly dropped in the anglicized versions.

Keep in mind that these variations would have originated from different translations and spellings over time. Each version might have its own distinct lineage and perhaps became a unique family line. Getting to the exact origin of each surname variation would require significant genealogical research and possibly DNA testing.

Famous people with the name McLinden

• Peter McLinden: Former England Rugby Union player
• Steve McLinden: Journalist and author
• Ron McLinden: former Canadian professional ice hockey player
• John McLinden: Former American football player
• Colin McLinden: actor, producer and writer
• David McLinden: Baseball game announcer
• J.R. McLinden: Novelist
• Bay McLinden: Fashion designer
• Brooke McLinden: Scottish footballer
• Joe McLinden: Irish Gaelic Footballer

Other surnames

McLindon