Surname MacClarence - Meaning and Origin

MacClarence: What does the surname MacClarence mean?

The surname MacClarence is of Scottish origin, which typically suggests that the name refers to Son of Clarence. The prefix "Mac" in Scottish and Irish surnames indicates "son of." Hence, if one were to interpret it, MacClarence could be understood to mean 'son of Clarence'.

Meanwhile, the name "Clarence" is of Latin origin and derived from the title of dukedom, which is located in the British peerage system. The information about "Clarence" provides an insight into social status, family history, or occupation.

However, it is important to note that surnames have evolved over several centuries and have many derivations. Therefore, the origin and meaning might vary and not coincide with the original intent.

Importantly, not many resources directly explain the meaning of the surname 'MacClarence,' which might imply it is infrequent or possibly a variation of another more common surname. As a result, the exact and accurate meaning of 'MacClarence' might vary or might be ambiguous without specific genealogical or historical family information.

MacClarence: Where does the name MacClarence come from?

The surname MacClarence has its origins in Scotland. The prefix 'Mac' in Scottish and Irish surnames usually means 'son of,' so the surname MacClarence might mean 'son of Clarence.' However, the name Clarence does not traditionally exist in Scottish families, suggesting the surname could have evolved from other 'Mac' surnames or was adopted by a branch of a family denoting a significant person named Clarence in their lineage.

The name MacClarence is not common today in any specific location, and its usage is rather scattered across English-speaking countries such as the United States, Canada, the United Kingdom, and Australia. The low prevalence of this surname globally implies that the familial ties remain limited or spread thinly around these countries.

It's worth noting that due to the English nature of 'Clarence,' the surname might have more prevalence in the English diaspora during the period of their global colonization, but these would only be theories unless supported by immigration and genealogy records. Conversely, the rarity and unique nature of the name could also mean a broader territorial spread due to a fewer number of families carrying that surname.

Variations of the surname MacClarence

The surname MacClarence is interesting in that it doesn't adhere to traditional Scottish or Irish surname conventions. Nonetheless, there could be potential variants or similar names based on phonetics, spelling, and cultural context.

Some possible variants or similar surnames could include McClearance, McClarence, MacClarens, McClarens, McClaurence, MacLaurence, McLarence, McLaurance, and McClance.

As for origin, it appears to have a Celtic background with the prefix "Mac" or "Mc" commonly indicating "son of" in Scottish and Irish names. "Clarence," on the other hand, could potentially originate from the Latin "Clarus," meaning "clear, bright, famous." It is also a geographical reference, as an English royal dukedom in the British royal family which comes from Clare, Suffolk.

However, it's important to note that "MacClarence" is not a common surname, so these variants are speculative. It might be associated with unrelated surnames based on phonetic similarities or typos during record-keeping. It could potentially be a recent or purposeful amalgamation of two separate surnames. Comprehensive research or genealogical resources might provide more definitive answers.

Famous people with the name MacClarence

• Emma MacClarence: British actress who starred in The Sound of Music (1939), Easter Parade (1948) and The Chalk Garden (1964).
• Alexander MacClarence: British actor who has starred in films such as Peter Pan (1953) and The Marvelous Land of Oz (2004).
• Steve MacClarence: British actor who starred in the BBC series, The Office, and recently appeared in the BBC series Taboo.
• Patrick MacClarence: British director and screenwriter who directed and wrote screenplays for such films as The Good Wife (1966), The Killing Fields (1984) and The Madness of King George (1994).
• Murray MacClarence: British composer, conductor and musician whose work was featured in films such as Harry Potter and the Philosopher's Stone (2001) and Sherlock Holmes (2009).
• Kenneth MacClarence: British actor who appeared in the films The Italian Job (1969) and The Return of the Pink Panther (1975).
• Margaret MacClarence: British costume designer who won an Academy Award for her work in the films Gandhi (1982) and The Cotton Club (1984).
• Robert MacClarence: British stage actor who has appeared in the Royal Shakespeare Company's productions of The Merchant of Venice, Macbeth and A Midsummer Night's Dream.
• Nancy MacClarence: British actress and singer who appeared in the musicals My Fair Lady (1956) and The Sound of Music (1959).
• Maurice MacClarence: British writer and poet who published several books on British culture and society.

Other surnames

MacClaren