Surname MacFarlin - Meaning and Origin
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MacFarlin: What does the surname MacFarlin mean?
The last name MacFarlin is a Scottish surname, derived from the Gaelic MacFhearghailin. The literal Gaelic translation of the surname is ‘son of Farquhar’. This suggests that its original bearer was the son of a man named Farquhar. The name Farquhar is a Gaelic form of the Latin name Fercal, which translates to ‘brave man’ or ‘man of courage’, and this may have been the original meaning behind the last name MacFarlin.
MacFarlin is an old Scottish surname, with the first record of the family found in the Renfrewshire area around the beginning 15th Century. This is significant as Renfrewshire was the home of some of the earliest Gaelic families in Scotland, and was also one of the earliest settlements of the Irish who migrated to Scotland in the Dark Ages.
The MacFarlin family have long-established Scottish roots, with their earliest ancestors most likely coming from the Irish people’s first settlements in the area. Over time, the name has developed and evolved, but at its core remains the meaning of a ‘son of Farquhar’, of courage and strength.
Order DNA origin analysisMacFarlin: Where does the name MacFarlin come from?
The last name MacFarlin is most commonly found in the United States, particularly in the states of Maryland, Virginia, and the District of Columbia. Records indicate that the earliest known record of the name was found in Scotland in the 12th century, and the family is believed to have moved to the US in the 1700s.
Today, the name MacFarlin can be found across the entirety of the United States, predominantly in the three states mentioned above. Additionally, smaller communities are found in states such as Maine, Florida, and Pennsylvania.
The MacFarlin family was known primarily for its disposition towards timber and lumber businesses in the United States. As the prevalence of such businesses expanded, so too did the population of the last name MacFarlin.
Despite this, the last name MacFarlin remains a relatively rare one in North America, having only been found in around 0.03 per cent of the US population according to the most recent census. Smaller populations are also found in Canada, particularly in provinces such as Ontario, British Columbia, and Alberta.
Variations of the surname MacFarlin
The surname MacFarlin has several variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin.
The common spellings of MacFarlin include MacFarlane, MacFarland, McFarlane, MacPharlin, MacParland, and McFarlain. These spellings are often used as interchangeable, as the surname is derived from the same origin and is pronounced almost identically.
In Scotland, MacFarlin is also spelled and pronounced as MacFarlane, MacFarland, and MacPharlin to reflect the Scottish Gaelic connotations of the name.
Variants of the surname MacFarlin are McFarlin, Farrlan, McFarlane, Pharlan, Parlan, Pharland, Barland, Farland, Pharlen, Parlanne, Parlen, and Farlan. These spellings provide alternate pronunciations of the surname but are similarly derived from the same origins.
The surname MacFarlin is also known in parts of northern Ireland, England, Wales, and Scotland among descendants of Scottish heritage. In all cases, the surname is thought to have originated from the Gaelic expression "Mac Phàrlain", which means "son of the little judgment". This term likely stemmed from the fact that the MacFarlin family was among the first in Scotland to be appointed judges.
Finally, the surname MacFarlin is sometimes confused with similar-sounding surnames such as McFarland, MacFarland, MacFarlane, McFarlane, and MacFarlane. However, these are derived from entirely different origins and therefore may not descend from the same family.
Famous people with the name MacFarlin
- Robert MacFarlin: Actor, known for his roles in The Young and the Restless and All My Children.
- Thomas MacFarlin: Was a United States Army major during the Mexican-American War, and served as Assistant Adjutant General for the 1851-1852 Coast Survey.
- John MacFarlin:- Politician and lawyer of the 19th century, most notably a member of the U.S. House of Representatives from 1834-1838.
- Jonathan MacFarlin: Major baseball player in the late 1800s with the Troy Major Skyrockets, Buffalo Bisons, and Syracuse Stars.
- James MacFarlin: Canadian politician, served as the Commander of the Force for the North-West Rebellion in 1885.
- George MacFarlin: Early settler of British Columbia, established wine and tobacco factories in the area, and opened mail routes to the Canadian north.
- Alastair MacFarlin: Political consultant who worked with the governments of India, Namibia, and Zambia.
- Catherine MacFarlin: Academics and faculty member at Queen’s University in Canada, specialized in children’s literature and folklore.
- Owen MacFarlin: Prominent artist from Nova Scotia, known for his landscapes and seascapes of the North Atlantic.
- Betty MacFarlin: Award-winning interior designer based in Colorado, notable for her opulent, sophisticated style.