Surname Mecracken - Meaning and Origin
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Mecracken: What does the surname Mecracken mean?
The last name Mecracken is a Scottish or Irish surname derived from the Gaelic name MacRaghnaill, which literally translates to 'son of Raonall'. However, the origin and usage of this name varies by location.
In Scotland, the name was derived from a location, also known as Mecracken, near Drumfries. In other areas, the name was used to refer to a person who was born illegitimate or without a father.
In Ireland, the name was derived from Mac Reachnalt, which translated to 'son of Reachnalt'. The Reachnalt name was used to refer to someone who was a descendant of an ancient Irish king, as well as a man who was thought to have special powers.
The Mecracken family has become very established and widespread over the years, known to be particularly prominent in Ayrshire and in parts of Scotland, Ireland, and England.
While the surname may have had different meanings in different places throughout history, no one concrete answer can pinpoint the exact meaning of the name today. It can be assumed, however, that the name Mecracken has long been linked to a person's family heritage and status.
Order DNA origin analysisMecracken: Where does the name Mecracken come from?
The name Mecracken is believed to have originated in Scotland. It is believed to have been derived from the Gaelic name Macraicin which means "son of grace". It is a relatively uncommon name today, but is still found mainly in Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is also found in Australia, New Zealand, Canada and the United States.
In Australia, the Mecracken surname can be found scattered throughout the states and territories, but is particularly common in Victoria, New South Wales and Queensland. In the US, the name is found mainly in the southern states, but also in parts of the Midwest and East Coast.
In Scotland, the Mecracken surname is most concentrated in Aberdeenshire, followed by Perthshire, Angus, and Fife. In Northern Ireland, they are scattered in a pattern similar to that of Scotland, but the highest concentrations can be found in County Tyrone, Antrim and Down.
The Mecracken surname is relatively rare and difficult to trace, as there were few Mecrackens who kept their identity and spread throughout the world. However, it is clear that the people who share this surname have a rich, diverse history linked to Scotland and Ireland.
Variations of the surname Mecracken
The surname Mecracken is an anglicised form of the Irish surname Mac Raghnaill which is derived from an Old Irish name which translates to "son of Raghnall". The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include MacRaghnaill, MacCracken, Mittacken, Mecracken, Mecraghen, Mecragin, Mecraggan, MacRackin, MacCragin, and MacCracan.
The surname is mainly associated with the Irish provinces of Munster and Connacht, but some versions of the name can also be found in other countries such as the United States. In the United States, the name can be written as McRacken, Mackracken, McCrackin, or MacCrakin.
When pronounced in Irish Gaelic, the name is generally spelled Mac Raghnaill, with the emphasis on the first syllable, similar to Mac Cracker. This spelling also reflects the pronunciation of the Scots-Gaelic version, Mecraghen.
The surname MacRackin is an Anglicized version of the Irish name, which was first recorded in Scotland in 1594. It has been spelled in a variety of ways, including MacRackin, MacRagen, and MacCracken. The surnames Mecragin and Mecraggan are related to the Irish name Mac Raghnaill and appear as variants of the name in County Donegal.
The spelling Mecracken is an anglicised version of the Irish name Mac Raghnaill, which was first used in Scotland in the sixteenth century and later in Ireland in the nineteenth century. It is mainly found in the United States, where it is spelled McRacken, Mackracken, McCrackin, or MacCrakin.
In conclusion, the surname Mecracken and its various variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin are derived from the Irish name MacRaghnaill. The various versions of the name can be found in both Irish and non-Irish countries, and are mainly pronounced and spelled as MacRacken, MacCracken, Mittacken, Mecraghen, Mecragin, Mecraggan, MacRackin, MacCragin, and MacCracan.
Famous people with the name Mecracken
- Michael McEachern: American actor and voice-over artist best known for providing the voice of Kyle Broflovski in South Park.
- Duncan McCracken: British writer and editor who was instrumental in the success of the magazine Prince. He was a recipient of the Royal Academy of Arts Medallion for “outstanding service to the arts” in 1954.
- Mike McEachern: American football player who played at tight end for the Denver Broncos in the National Football League.
- Marshal McCracken: Baseball pitcher who spent one season with the Texas Rangers, and was a part of the team's 1880 championship.
- Mike “Macc” McCracken: American animator and artist who worked on various cartoon shows such as The Simpsons, South Park, and SpongeBob SquarePants.
- Ben McCracken: US singer and songwriter who released several albums and toured across the US for a number of years.
- Dave McCracken: CEO of National Geographic Magazine and Newswire, and former Executive Editor of Sports Illustrated.
- Gary McCracken: American stage actor who has garnered awards for roles in the musicals 'Oklahoma!' and 'Annie Get Your Gun.'
- Chuck McCracken: Jockeys Hall of Fame inductee who became one of the most successful jockeys on the American track with numerous wins.
- Joe McCracken: American politician and former mayor of Washougal, Oregon.