Surname Macferlant - Meaning and Origin
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Macferlant: What does the surname Macferlant mean?
The last name Macferlant is a Scottish surname of Norman origin. It is derived from the old French personal name Macferlan or Macfarlane, meaning “son of Ferlan” or “son of Farlan.” The prefix “Mac” is a Gaelicized version of the Norman “de”, which means “of.” The origin of the name is uncertain, but it may have originated from the Old French “ferland” or “ferlant”, meaning “farmer” or “farmer's land”.
The name Macferlant is found mainly in Scotland but also in other parts of the British Isles. It can be found as early as the 13th century in the records of the Clan Macfarlane of Arrochar. During this period, they were recorded as “M’Farlane” and “McFerleane.” The Macfarlanes held lands in Arrochar, Glenorchy, Rabbstown and Ardincaple in the counties of Argyll and Dumbarton.
The surname Macfarlane was carried to North America by early settlers, and instances of the name are recorded in the United States and Canada. By the 1881 census, the surname had spread to many other countries including Australia, New Zealand, and South Africa.
The popularity of the name Macferlant means there are quite a few notable people who share the surname. Notable people with the name include Canadian renowned sociologist Arthur Macferlant, car racing brothers Jamie and James Macfarlane, and considered one of the most influential Scottish climbers Heather Macfarlane.
Order DNA origin analysisMacferlant: Where does the name Macferlant come from?
The last name Macferlant is most commonly found today in Scotland and England, as well as North America and Australia.
The Macferlant surname is thought to have originated in Scotland. The family is thought to have taken its name from the MacFarlane clan, who were among the ancient clans there. The surname is derived from the Gaelic meaning ‘the son of the chosen one’ or ‘son of Fergus’. Historically, Macferlants were farmers and warriors, who played an important part in defending their homeland against the English.
Today, the name Macferlant is still found in Scotland, particularly around Glasgow, the Scottish Lowlands, and the countryside around the River Clyde. It is also found in England, especially in the counties of Yorkshire, Cumbria, Northumberland, and County Durham.
In North America, the Macferlant surname can be found mainly in the United States and Canada, where it was taken there by Scottish immigrants in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. It is particularly common around states such as New York and New Jersey. It is also found in some parts of the Midwest, such as Ohio and Michigan.
In Australia, the name is most common in the states of Victoria and New South Wales, particularly around the cities of Melbourne and Sydney.
Overall, the Macferlant surname is still a relatively common one today, and can be found around the world, particularly in Scotland and North America.
Variations of the surname Macferlant
Macferlant is a Scottish surname which can be found in various forms throughout the world. It originates from the Gaelic Mac Fearlann, which was used to denote the ‘son of the man of Saxony’. Possible variants of the surname include Mac Farlane, Mac Farland, Mac Farlane and Mac Faelan, all of which have the same origin. It is possible to find variants of this surname in different countries, such as France, Ireland, Scotland and Wales.
In Scotland, variants of the name are often used interchangeably. Macfarlane is the most common form of the name, with Macfarlane being the second most well-known. In addition, Macferland and Macfaelan can also be found in Scotland. Other related Scottish names include Ferguson, Fergusson, Farguson, Fargesson and McFarlane.
In the United States and other parts of the world, the surname is often found in its modified form, MacFarlane. This variant has been adapted to fit the English language and is commonly used by American-born individuals who are descendants of the Macferlant family.
The spelling of the surname can also change depending on the region. In Scotland, the letter ‘h’ is often included in the spelling, giving it the form MacFherlan. In England, the ‘h’ is sometimes left out, making the name Macferlan or Macferlant.
No matter the spelling or variant, all of these forms of Macferlant stem from the same source and have the same origin. The different spelling and surname variations are evidence of the wide-reaching influence of the Macferlant family, from Scotland to America and beyond.
Famous people with the name Macferlant
- Peter MacFarlane: Canadian actor, writer and director, best known for his roles in series like “Cobra Kai”, “Suits”, and “The Expanse”.
- Amanda Macfarlan: Canadian actress best known for her recurring roles on popular television shows, including “A Million Little Things” and “Westworld”.
- Iain Macfarlan: award-winning British actor and director, best known for his work in theatre and film, including “The Wicker Man”, “Sherlock”, and “Nativity!”
- Manon Macfarlan: Canadian actress and dancer, best known for her film and television roles, including “Lost Girl”, “Alias Grace” and “White Room 02B3”.
- Duncan Macfarlan: Scottish actor and playwright, best known for performing in the original cast of “The 39 Steps”.
- Zoe Macfarlan: Canadian actress with roles in various stage productions including “A Little Night Music” and “Ragtime”.
- Tami Macfarlan: Canadian-American actress, best known for her roles in the films, “Tamra’s Story”, “Nola” and “The Catalyst”.
- Kyle Macfarlan: Australian actor and theater producer, best known for his work in television productions, including “Home and Away” and “Blue Heelers”.
- Ross Macfarlan: American actor, best known for his performance in the film, “Forbidden Love: The Unashamed Stories of Lesbian Lives”.
- David Macfarlan: British actor, best known for his stage performances, including the Royal Shakespeare Company’s “The Taming of the Shrew”.