Surname McPhadon - Meaning and Origin
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McPhadon: What does the surname McPhadon mean?
The last name McPhadon is a Scottish name derived from the old Gaelic MacPhadden, which means "son of the loving one." This surname likely emerged in the Scottish Highlands in the Middle Ages and was used to describe a descendant of someone with the first name Phade.
The meaning of the name Phade itself has been lost to history. Speculation suggests that the name could mean “handsome” or “beloved” depending on the root language. The most popular belief is that the name derived from the old Gaelic word for love – “phad”. The combination of the “mac” prefix, which denotes a bond of respect, and the word “phad”, most likely created the surname McPhadon, meaning “son of the beloved/loving one”.
Alternative spellings of the surname include MacPhadden, MacFaddan and McFadden and some notable figures with this surname include Australian actor Tim McPhaden, Scottish television personality Angus McPhaden, and British writer David McPhaden.
Today, the meaning of the surname McPhadon remains a source of curiosity. Descended from a lost language and embedded in a culture with a deep history, it is a name that symbolizes the past while embodying an unknown yet beautiful meaning.
Order DNA origin analysisMcPhadon: Where does the name McPhadon come from?
The last name McPhadon is most commonly found in Ireland, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada. An analysis of the 2019 Irish Census reveals that McPhadon was the 745th most common surname in Ireland, with 969 people using it as a last name. A similar analysis of the 2011 Canadian Census revealed that McPhadon is the 462nd most common surname in the country, with 4645 people using it.
In the United Kingdom, McPhadon was the 10353rd most common surname in the 2019 Population Survey, with 670 people using it. The name was also relatively common in Australia, with the 2016 Census revealing that it was the 1224th most common surname in the country, with 2489 people using it.
All in all, the last name McPhadon appears to be most common in Ireland, the UK, Australia, and Canada, though it has also been found in other countries, such as New Zealand and the United States. Its exact origins remain a mystery, however, some speculate that it has Irish or Scottish roots.
Variations of the surname McPhadon
The surname McPhadon is an Anglicized version of two different Gaelic surnames. The first is the Scottish Macphaden, which is an Anglicised form of the Gaelic Mac Phàidín. This surname is derived from the Gaelic personal name Padin, which is a diminutive of Pádruig, the Gaelic form of the name Patrick. The other spelling of the surname, also found in Ireland, is MacFadden or McFadden, which is derived from the Gaelic Mac Phaidin.
The Irish variant of the surname McPhadon can also be spelled as Mac Fadden or McFadden, and is derived from the Gaelic Mac Phaidin, meaning "son of Padin". This is further derived from the Gaelic personal name Padin, meaning "little Patrick". It is also found spelled as MacFadin, McFadin, MacPhadin, McFadin, McPadden and MacPaddon.
In Scotland, the surname is also found spelled as MacPhaden, Macfaden, MacPhaden, McPhaden, McFaden, MacPhaddin, McFaddin, Maccheddan, McFaddan, MacPhaddin and MacPaddick.
Though the surnames listed have similar spellings, they are all distinct surnames originating from different Gaelic forms and meanings. All these variants of the same surname have the same Gaelic root name deriving from the personal name Padin, the diminutive of Pádruig, or Patrick.
Famous people with the name McPhadon
- Judd McPhadon: Canadian actor, comedian and writer
- Doug McPhadon: Former NFL player, played as a fullback for four NFL teams
- Holden McPhadon: Inventor, businessperson, and philanthropist
- Robert McPhadon Jr.: American basketball player, drafted in the NBA in 1973
- Harry McPhadon: Founder of the McPhadon Mining Corporation
- Neil McPhadon: Award-winning investigative journalist
- Peggy McPhadon: Singer and songwriter
- John McPhadon: CEO of McPhadon Industries
- Anthony McPhadon: Actor and comedian
- Christopher McPhadon: Actor and musician