Surname MacGachan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacGachan: What does the surname MacGachan mean?
The last name MacGachan (also seen as MacGahan, MacGachan and MacGaughan) is an anglicized version of the Scottish Gaelic name Mac eachain (McCahan). The root of the name is from the Old Irish word for "Son of Aodh," meaning "fire." This surname is associated with clans from both the Isle of Islay, off the west coast of Scotland, and Ulster in Northern Ireland.
The name is believed to have originated in the early 14th century in the Highlands of Scotland, where it was spread by people who followed the clan and family name of Mac eachain. By the early 1600s the name had spread to other parts of Scotland, Ireland and then England.
The name MacGachan has a variety of variant spellings that depend on the spoken dialect of Gaelic. It is a popular but uncommon surname in modern times, but those who do bear the name remain proud of their Celtic ancestry and the fiery spirit of their people that is represented in the name. Those who are MacGachans are considered to be an esteemed and honorable family.
In times gone by MacGachans were considered warriors; the kind, brave, determined, and strong people that would defend their kin and their land, and who served proudly throughout Scotland's history. Today, the MacGachan name is often associated with strength, courage, and resilience in the face of adversity.
Order DNA origin analysisMacGachan: Where does the name MacGachan come from?
The surname MacGachan does not appear to have a well-documented origin. It is not listed in traditional databases of family names and historical records. It may be a rare, localized, or possibly misspelled surname, thus making it hard to determine its root of origin or where it might be common in today's world. Alternatively, it may be a translation or Anglicization of a non-English name, adding an additional layer of complexity to tracing its history. Such difficult cases often require personal ancestry or genealogy research, as general resources on surnames may not provide a comprehensive background for all names. Always ensure to check different potential spellings or variations of the surname you are researching, in order to maximize results.
Variations of the surname MacGachan
The surname MacGachan is of Scottish origin and belongs to the category of surnails. There are several variants and spellings of this surname, many of which resulted from Anglicizing due to different pronunciation and transcription throughout history. Variations include MacEachan, McEachan, MacEchan, McEchan, M'Gachan and Makgahan.
Some other possible variations could be Maceachan, Makgechan, Macgechan, and Macechan. Less common variations could further alter the prefixes like M'Eachan or M'Gechan.
The surname is sometimes also spelled without the Mac, making it simply Gachan, Echan, Eachan, or Gachan.
The 'Mac' prefix in Scottish and Irish surnames typically means 'son of,' so these variations are often based on the root name (in this case, Gachan or Eachan). However, there isn't a definitive set of variants or spelling options because they can change greatly based on individual family history, regional dialects, or personal preference.
Additionally, the surname can also be transposed and phonetically translated to other languages, which may result in even more variations. It's important to note that the accurate tracing of names can sometimes be challenging due to these numerous variations.
Famous people with the name MacGachan
- Rose MacGachan: a prominent Scottish Gaelic singer from the Inner Hebrides.
- Angus MacGachan: a lawyer, politician, and former Member of Parliament (MP) for Argyllshire from 1970 to 1979, as well as a judge in the Inner House of the Court of Session from 1979 to 1995.
- Duncan MacGachan: A noted Scottish painter and fine artist.
- Iain MacGachan: a gifted bagpipe player. He won the Gold Medal at the Northern Meeting in 2014.
- Colin Macgachan: A Scottish actor who has been in films such as T2 Trainspotting, Commonwealth Games: The Price of Gold and The Merry Wives of Windsor.
- Isobel MacGachan: an actress and singer from Scotland who has appeared in films such as Pitcairn and Perfect Strangers.
- Blair MacGachan: a Scottish-born football player who has played for teams such as Celtic, Dundee United and Motherwell.
- Eve MacGachan: a Scottish actor and producer best known for her leading roles in The Last Witch and Enforcer.
- Peter MacGachan: a former professional footballer who played for teams such as Lanark United and Hamilton Academical.
- Louise MacGachan: A Scottish artist known for her additional pencil drawings.