Surname Buchanan - Meaning and Origin

Tracing Back the Path: A Personal Encounter with my Buchanan Ancestry through iGENEA DNA Analysis

Through iGENEA, I've journeyed back in time, uncovering the ancient origins of my family name Buchanan. From geographical surnames to Celtic roots, the DNA analysis has been a voyage of discovery, intertwining genetic science and personal history in unexpected and exciting ways.

P. Buchanan

Buchanan: What does the surname Buchanan mean?

The surname Buchanan originates from Scotland and primarily refers to a geographical region situated to the north of Glasgow, around the shores of Loch Lomond. This area was given the name "Buchanan" which means "the house of the canon" or "house of the clergyman" in Gaelic. It is a combination of the Gaelic words "buth", meaning house, and "chanain", referring to a canon. Over time, people living in the region began to adopt "Buchanan" as their surname, a common practice in the Middle Ages. Clan Buchanan, a large Scottish clan with roots tracing back to the 11th century, also takes its name from the region. Today, thousands of people around the world, especially within Scottish diaspora communities, carry the surname Buchanan.

Buchanan: Where does the name Buchanan come from?

The surname Buchanan originates from Scotland, particularly from an area in the eastern part of the Scottish Highlands known as Buchanan, near Loch Lomond. The name itself stems from the Gaelic term "Buth Chanain", meaning "house of the canon".

The Buchanan clan, which is associated with this surname, was once very prominent in Scotland. They were a powerful family during the 13th-14th century and owned vast lands in Stirlingshire and Lennox. Prominent figures in the Buchanan clan included George Buchanan, a famous 16th-century historian and scholar.

Today, the surname Buchanan is common in countries where there's a significant Scottish or Scotch-Irish diaspora. This includes countries like the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. It is also popular in Northern Ireland due to the historical migration and settlement of Scots there. Nevertheless, it is still found in Scotland, albeit less commonly than in previous centuries due to movements of population and emigration over the years.

Variations of the surname Buchanan

The surname Buchanan is of Scottish origin and is derived from the name of a region in Stirlingshire, Scotland. Variants and alternate spellings of the surname Buchanan can result from phonetic transcription or regional pronunciation. Such variants include Buhannan, Bucanan, Buchannon, Buchannan, Buchannen, Buchanon, and Buhannon.

The name can also be found as MacCalman, which originated from Mac a' Chalbhaín, meaning "son of the calve’s servant". This is a reference to the Buchanan clan’s historic connection to the church – specifically, the calve’s servant was a cleric who was responsible for tending the cattle that belonged to the church.

Buchanan is sometimes incorrectly modified to Buckhanan or Buckannon. It's also worth noting that in some cases, surnames can change completely upon immigration, and some Buchanans may have adopted entirely different surnames after moving to new countries. It is always important to consider the cultural, historical, and regional context when examining the derivation of surnames.

Famous people with the name Buchanan

• James Buchanan: 15th President of the United States
• Pat Buchanan: conservative political commentator and former presidential candidate
• Col Buchanan: fantasy author known for his ‘Farlander’ series
• Edgar Buchanan: actor known for his roles in ‘Petticoat Junction’ and ‘Green Acres’
• Ian Buchanan: TV actor, won an Emmy for his role in 'General Hospital’
• Jack Buchanan: British stage and film actor, known for his role in the film ‘The Band Wagon’
• John Buchanan: former Australian cricketer and coach
• Keisha Buchanan: British singer and a founding member of the Sugababes
• Aimee Buchanan: American-born Olympic figure skater who competes for Israel
• George Buchanan: Scottish historian and humanist scholar
• Robbie Buchanan: prolific multi-genre songwriter and performer, particularly known for his contributions to country music.
• Daisy Buchanan: Fictional character from the F. Scott Fitzgerald novel 'The Great Gatsby'
• Neil Buchanan: British TV presenter and artist, known for his show ‘Art Attack’.
• Simone Buchanan: Australian actress known for her role in soap opera 'Neighbors'.
• Lachlan Buchanan: Australian actor who has appeared in TV shows like 'Pretty Little Liars' and 'The Young and the Restless'.

Other surnames

BuchanBuchannanBuchannonBuchanon