Surname McParlan - Meaning and Origin

McParlan: What does the surname McParlan mean?

McParlan is an Irish surname derived from the old Gaelic name “Mac Parthalain.” It is believed to have originated in the County Tyrone, Northern Ireland in the 13th century as an anglicized form of the original Gaelic name. The Gaelic name Mac Parthalain translates to "son of Bartholomew." The root of the name is “math”, meaning “son”, and “Parthalain”, “Bartholomew”.

McParlan is a common surname in Ireland, with its roots stemming from the O'Neill Clan of Northern Ireland. During the 16th century, members of the McParlan family forged a strong reputation as fighters and protectors of the O’Neill Clan. This originated from the exploits of the notorious Investigation Agent Lawrence McParlan, who fought for the O’Neill Clan while working for the British authorities in the late 1700s.

Their legacy lives on today, with McParlans scattered across the world, primarily in Ireland, the United States, Canada, and Australia. Today, McParlans are known for their strong work ethic, sense of community, and loyalty to family. As a result, various McParlans have gone on to make major contributions in fields such as politics, law, business, sports, and the military.

McParlan: Where does the name McParlan come from?

The last name McParlan is most commonly found today in Ireland and parts of the United Kingdom. Records show that the McParlan surname originated in Donegal, a small county located in the northwestern corner of Ireland. McGee's historical research shows that the McParlans were a sept of the O'Donnells, the powerful Irish Chieftain family that ruled much of Ulster during the Middle Ages.

Since the 1600s, many McParlans have left Ireland due to war and poverty, and the surname can be found across Europe, Australia, Canada, and the United States. In fact, the surname is listed as the 6,368th most common name in the U.S. today.

In Scotland, the McParlan surname is often spelled 'McParland' or 'McParlane'. In the United States, researchers estimate that about 650 families bearing the surname McParlan reside there. McParland is also the 4,125th most common name in Canada.

Overall, McParlan is still a relatively rare last name, and it is unlikely that many people will come across it during their lifetime. Those who do can take comfort in the fact that they are a part of a unique and storied Irish clan.

Variations of the surname McParlan

The surname McParlan is a variation of the Irish surname Mac Parthalain or Parthalan, which means husband of Bartholomew. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic patronymic surname Mac Parthalain, meaning "son of Parthalan". Variations of the name McParlan include Mac Parlan, McPartlan, McParland, McPartlin, McPartling, MacPartlan, MacPartland, MacPartling, and Parlan.

For many years, the McParlan surname has been associated with the Ulster Province in Ireland. The first use of the McParlan surname that can be traced is to Amhlaoibh Mac Parthalan, a chieftain in County Longford who died in 1545. In more recent times, the McParlan name has been connected to the the Irish Republican Army during the early twentieth century.

The McParlan surname is found mainly in the Ulster Province in Ireland. People bearing the surname McParlan are not limited to just Ireland, however. It also appears in Scotland, Wales, England, and other parts of the United Kingdom as well as United States, Australia, and Canada.

Other surname spellings associated with the McParlan family include Mac Pherlan, Mac Perlan, Mac Parlan, Mac Parlon, Mac Perlin, McParle, MacPartlen, MacParlin, MacParland, McParland, MacParlande, McPartlin, and McPartling.

In conclusion, McParlan is a spelling and surname of Irish origin. The variations of this name, such as Mac Parlan, McPartlan, and Mac Partling, are derived from the Gaelic patronymic surname of Mac Parthalain. This name is mainly found in Ulster, Ireland; however, it has spread to various other countries throughout the world.

Famous people with the name McParlan

• Judith McParlan: An American historian and professor who is best known for her research on gender and ecology.
• John McParlan: A Canadian professional ice hockey executive who served as the president of the Ottawa Senators of the National Hockey League from 2009 to 2013.
• Robert McParlan: An American professional basketball coach and executive who was the head coach of the San Antonio Spurs from 1988 to 1990.
• Kevin McParlan: An American actor and cooperative activist who has appeared in films such as Brokeback Mountain and The Girl With the Dragon Tattoo.
• George McParlan: A Scottish football player notable for making over 200 appearances for Manchester City Football Club.
• Scott McParlan: An American music producer and video game composer who composed music for games such as Brutal Legend, Darksiders, and The Witcher 3.
• Colleen McParlan: An American artist best known for her unique mixed media artworks and sculpture installations.
• Stephen McParlan: An Australian actor and musician most known for his portrayal of the title character in the TV series The Adventures of Sir Lancelot (1956).
• Ryan McParlan: An American rapper who is best known as one half of the hip-hop duo Flatbush Zombies.
• Christopher McParlan: An Irish footballer who played for the League of Ireland Premier Division side Limerick FC.

Other surnames

McParlandMcParlane