Surname MacFadin - Meaning and Origin
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MacFadin: What does the surname MacFadin mean?
The last name MacFadin is of Irish origin. It is an Anglicized version of the Gaelic name MacFhádeáin which means “son of Fadín” or “son of Little Wolf”. Fadín itself comes from the Irish word for “little wolf”.
Throughout the ages, the MacFadin family came from various parts of Ireland, including Counties Cork and Galway. Some were prominent landholders as early as the 12th century. During the Plantation of Ulster, the family were removed from their lands and forced to spread further across Ireland, primarily to Ulster.
MacFadins have become known as a family of fighters and warriors, thanks to battles fought over the centuries in defence of their land and against the oppression of the British. Furthermore, many of the clan members have been notable members of the Irish republican movement, fighting for Irish independence.
Today, the MacFadin clan can be found in many places around the world, mainly in the United States. Generally speaking, those bearing this surname are proud of their Irish heritage and have a strong bond with their ancestral roots.
Order DNA origin analysisMacFadin: Where does the name MacFadin come from?
The last name MacFadin is uncommon today, although it does have a few concentrations in the United States, primarily in Florida and the Midwest. It is also popular in Scotland, particularly in the Highlands of the country.
The name MacFadin likely originated in Scotland during the Middle Ages. It is a variation of the Irish Gaelic name MacPhaidin, which translates to 'son of the little wolf'. The name is said to be tracing back to the Irish Viking leader, Fáelán mac Áedo, who was known as 'Little Wolf'.
In the United States, MacFadin is mainly concentrated in Florida, in the cities of Palm Coast and St. Augustine. There are also several families in the Midwest, in cities such as Bloomington and Springfield in Illinois.
Tracing the exact origin of the MacFadin name is difficult due to the lack of records from the Middle Ages, but it is clear that it is a variation of the Old Irish MacPhaidin. The presence of MacFadin families in the Midwest and the Southeast indicates the possible migration of their relatives from Scotland to the United States.
Regardless of how widespread it is today, the MacFadin family name still holds a proud history behind it. The rarity of the name MacFadin is a testament to its interesting origins and its place in history.
Variations of the surname MacFadin
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacFadin are MacFadyn, MacFaddin, MacFadden, MacFaddon, MacFadyen, and MacPhadin.
MacFadin is a Scottish and Irish surname with its roots in the three provinces of Ireland – Ulster, Leinster and Connacht. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Phaideáin, meaning “son of Pahatain”. Pahatain is a Gaelic personal name that was derived from the words phadadh, meaning “to hunt”, and fhada signifying “long”.
The Scottish version of MacFadin places its origin in the clans MacFadyen (Clan Campbell), and the Irish version is likely to have derived from the MacFadden septs of Ulster, the MacPhaden septs of Leinster, and the MacFadden septs of Connacht.
The variant spellings of MacFadin reflect the changes in spelling conventions that began with the arrival of English and Scots into Ireland in the 16th and 17th centuries, and the Anglicization of Irish surnames. While the original Gaelic form of MacPhaideáin remained in use for some time, the drop in g in the spelling was followed by silencing of the f and h in the spelling of MacFadin.
The MacFadin spelling also can be found as MacFadyn, Mac Fadden, MacFaddon, MacFadyen, and MacPhadan, with these spellings remaining fairly common in Scotland and Ireland. In some cases, the spelling may have also been adopted by immigrants to other countries, and there are instances of MacFadin further anglicized to variants such as MacPadden, McFadan, McFadden, Fadden, and Fadon.
Famous people with the name MacFadin
- LeVar Burton: American actor, producer, and presenter, and is best known for his roles in the television series Reading Rainbow, Star Trek: The Next Generation and Roots.
- Robert MacFadin: an American ornithologist and wildlife photographer who has published works on avian conservation.
- David MacFaddin: artist and printmaker from New England who works primarily in mezzotint.
- Caleb MacFadin: an American songwriter, multi-instrumentalist, producer, singer and actor.
- Scott MacFadin: American musician, producer and entrepreneur.
- Charles Macfadin: an American peace activist and the former president of the Union of American Hebrew Congregations.
- Maeve MacFadin: actress who has been seen on various television shows, films, and plays.
- Homer Macfadin: professional American football player who played in the National Football League (NFL) for four seasons.
- Mary Macfadin: writer, entrepreneur, and intentional living advocate.
- Blythe MacFadin: actress who has made guest appearances on sitcoms such as Two and a Half Men, Big Time Rush, and New Girl.