Surname MacEchern - Meaning and Origin
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MacEchern: What does the surname MacEchern mean?
The last name MacEchern is a Scottish/Irish surname of Gaelic origins. It is an Anglicized version of the name MacEcharn, which was used to denote members of the Clan MacEachern, a clan associated with North Argyllshire and Lorn in Scotland. The surname is derived from the personal name Eachairn, which is derived from the Gaelic word each, meaning “horse”, and so would have been an occupational name. It was also used to denote individuals who were connected to, or lived near, a family of stables.
MacEcharn as a last name is found in various forms across Scotland, Ireland, and England, and is usually spelled “MacEchern”, “MacEcherne”, and “MacEchorn”. The name would have been given to those who held honor and distinguished themselves in some manner, usually through battle.
Today, MacEchern is still a fairly common name in areas of Scotland and Ireland, as well as other places around the world that have some connection to the Gaelic-speaking diaspora. It is still used to denote members of the Clan MacEachern, as well as other individuals of Scottish heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMacEchern: Where does the name MacEchern come from?
The last name MacEchern is most commonly found in Scotland and Ireland as those were the two countries of origin for the name. In terms of frequency, the name is much more common in Scotland than Ireland, with a peak reported in the mid-1800s when there were nearly 300 families with this name living in the country. It is estimated that the last name is now quite rare with fewer than 50 families carrying the name in Scotland alone.
In addition to Scotland and Ireland, the last name MacEchern has been found in locations across the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Given the widespread distribution of the name, one could assume that further research would uncover more families with this last name living in other parts of the world.
The origin of the MacEchern last name has largely been attributed to ancient Celtic clans. The MacEchern clans have been traced back to the Western Isles, a region found on the Irish and Scottish borders. In addition, due to centuries of migration, there is a possibility that the last name was carried over to other English, Irish, and Scottish descendants.
While the last name MacEchern may be rare, it remains a source of pride for those who bear it. The history of the name is often reflected in its various variants, such as MacEachern and MacEacheran, making each family’s legacy unique.
Variations of the surname MacEchern
The surname MacEchern has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. These include MacEachern, MacEcheran, MacEachern, MacEchran, MacEachran, MacAcheran, and MacKechern.
MacEchern is derived from Scottish Gaelic MacEchrainn which in turn comes from the Gaelic personal name Eachraoin, a form of “Eachann” meaning “Horse Lord”. As such, the name would have been a nickname for a hero or leader.
MacEachern, the most common spelling of the surname, is pronounced Mac Eck-ern. The “Mac” at the start of the surname means “Son of”, just as “MacDonald” means “Son of Donald”.
Other spellings of this surname include Mac Eckran, Eckrin, Eachern and Ecran.
Other related surnames originating from the same ancestral name include MacEachrin, MacEacherny, MacEacheran, MacEggan, MacEochunn, MacKechren, and MacKechie.
Most of the families with this surname are of Scottish or Irish origin. There is also a small population of MacEcherns in the United States.
The MacEchern name is most commonly found in the Argyll area of Scotland but there are MacEcherns living around the world today, especially in Canada, Australia and the United States. In Scotland, the strongholds of the McEcherns are currently in Tarbert, Loch Fyne, Lochgilphead and South Argyll.
Famous people with the name MacEchern
- Dave MacEchern: Canadian actor best known for his roles in shows like Voyager 5, Sharknado 2, and The X-Files.
- Sarah MacEchern: Award-winning producer who was part of the team that won the Emmy in 2016 for Outstanding Innovative Storytelling for her work on the television show The Story of Us.
- Nick MacEchern: Award-winning director and cinematographer who directed the critically-acclaimed short films While You Were Sleeping and Breakfast with Strangers.
- John MacEchern: NBA guard who played for the Los Angeles Lakers, Miami Heat, and Toronto Raptors.
- Jeff MacEchern: Canadian songwriter and record producer who has worked on hits for various artists including Caesars Palace, Big Wreck, and Three Days Grace.
- Bruce MacEchern: Veteran photographer who has worked on features for outlets like Time, Rolling Stone, and GQ.
- Tory MacEchern: Professional golfer who has had international success competing in tournaments such as the Abu Dhabi Golf Championships, the french Open, and the Open de Espana.
- Mackenzie MacEchern: Canadian figure skater who won a silver medal in the 2018 Winter Olympics in the team event.
- Shane MacEchern: NHL hockey player who currently plays for the Dallas Stars.
- Clarke MacEchern: Award-winning producer and director who is known for his work on films like Deathly Fail Souvenirshop and The Little Red Truck.