Surname MacLachlane - Meaning and Origin

MacLachlane: What does the surname MacLachlane mean?

The surname MacLachlan, or McLaughlin in modern Irish, is an anglicization of the Celtic surname "MacLochlainn," which translates to "son of Lochlann." The term "Lochlann" in Irish was traditionally used to refer to a "Viking," specifically one from Norway or a 'land of fjords', 'land of lakes,' or even 'foreigner from a land of lakes.' Thus, the surname MacLachlan can be interpreted as "son of the Viking" or "son of the foreigner from the land of lakes." The name symbolizes the deep historical interactions between Celtic and Norse cultures, particularly in the islands and coastal regions of Scotland and Ireland. The clan MacLachlan is traditionally associated with lands on the shores of Loch Fyne, in modern Argyll and Bute, Scotland.

MacLachlane: Where does the name MacLachlane come from?

The surname MacLachlane is of Scottish origin. The name hails from the region around Loch Lomond in Scotland known as Luss. "Mac" in Gaelic means "son of" and "Lachlan" was an ancient personal name, so MacLachlan effectively translates to "Son of Lachlan".

The Clan MacLachlan, associated with this surname, is reported to have descended from an Irish prince of the O'Neill dynasty, Anrothan O'Neill, who migrated to Scotland in the 11th century. Over the years, different variations of the surname have evolved, including MacLachlen, MacLachlain, and MacLaughlin.

While the name is still predominantly associated with Scotland, the waves of Scottish emigration caused by famine, political unrest, and economic issues have led to a global spread of the surname. Today, the surname MacLachlane and its variations are common in a number of English-speaking countries outside of Scotland, including Australia, Canada, and the United States.

Despite the spread, Scotland remains a place where the name is especially common. In particular, the regions of Argyll and Bute, and the Western Isles of Scotland, are known to have a high concentration of individuals bearing the MacLachlane surname.

Variations of the surname MacLachlane

The surname MacLachlane has origins in Scottish Gaelic descent. It is formed from the Gaelic elements “Mac” meaning "son of" and "Lochlainn" referring to the Norse personal name. This surname signifies a descendant or follower of "Lochlan".

Several spelling variations of the name MacLachlan have evolved over time, often due to phonetic spellings as people wrote the name as it sounded. These variations include McLachlan, MacLachlin, MacLauchlan, MacLauchlin, MacLauchlane, MacGillolane, MacIllolane, MacLachlainn, and MacLaughlan. Another variation is MacLachlann.

Few variants are derived due to regional distinctions. McLoughlin, McClaughlin, McLaughlin, and McGlaughlin have Irish roots but could be connected to the Scotland-originated surname.

Surname 'Lochlainn' also has similar roots, especially in Ireland. It's important to note that sometimes, due to anglicization, prefixes like "Mac" and "Mc" may be dropped, leading to variants such as Lachlan or Laughlan.

It is also noted that clan surnames like MacLachlane often have "sept" names. Septs are smaller branches of a clan. The sept names associated with MacLachlane include MacEwen, Ewing, and Gilchrist.

Remember that researching family lineage can be complex due to these changes and variations happening over centuries.

Famous people with the name MacLachlane

• Craig MacLachlan: Famous Australian musician and actor
• Jeffery MacLachlan: Classical violinist
• Kenneth MacLachlan: Scottish TV producer
• Malcolm MacLachlan: Australian jazz pianist
• John MacLachlan Gray: Canadian playwright and actor
• Richmond MacLachlan: British Army general
• Robert MacLachlan: Canadian musician and songwriter
• Roderick MacLachlan: British general
• William MacLachlan: Professor of gastroenterology
• Donald MacLachlan: Canadian politician and lawyer
• Maria MacLachlan: British women’s rights campaigner
• Patrick MacLachlan: British cabinet minister
• Robert MacLachlan: American journalist
• Sue MacLachlan: British author

Other surnames

MacLachlan