Surname MacLaughlen - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacLaughlen: What does the surname MacLaughlen mean?
The last name MacLaughlen is of Irish origin and is a variant of the popular Irish surname McLaughlin. The name is derived from the Gaelic 'Mac Lochlainn', meaning 'son of Lochlann'. The term 'Lochlann' refers to a Viking, specifically from Norway, as in ancient times the region of Norway was referred to as Lochlann in Irish. Therefore, the surname MacLaughlen essentially signifies a "son of the Viking" or "descendant of the warrior from the fjord". It highlights the historic Norse connections with Ireland, due to the many invasions and settlements by the Vikings during the early Middle Ages. Over the centuries, the name has seen various spellings such as MacLaughlin, McLochlin, and McLoughlin among others, due to phonetic translations between languages. It's also worth noting that the bearers of this surname have contributed significantly in the fields of politics, sports, entertainment and more around the world.
Order DNA origin analysisMacLaughlen: Where does the name MacLaughlen come from?
The last name MacLaughlen is of Gaelic origin from Scotland. The name is derived from the personal name Lochlann. In Gaelic, "Mac" means "son of," so the surname translates to "son of Lochlann." Historically, the surname was associated with the Scottish Highlands and the area around Loch Linnhe.
Over time, many Scottish families emigrated to other parts of the world due to economic hardship or political reasons. This resulted in the dispersion of the MacLaughlen surname to different regions, particularly English-speaking countries.
Today, the last name MacLaughlen, along with various spellings such as McLaughlin, is most common in countries like the United States, Australia, Canada, and the United Kingdom. The largest number of people with this surname are found in the United States. Regardless, it's considered a relatively rare surname, and the exact regions of highest concentration may vary depending on the source. In general, regions with a significant Scottish diaspora would likely have a higher concentration of this surname.
Variations of the surname MacLaughlen
The surname MacLaughlen, originating from Gaelic roots, means "son of Lochlann". It has numerous spelling variations due to its transcription from Gaelic to English. Standard variations include MacLoughlin, MacLachlan, MacLachlainn, McLoughlin, etc. Some other less common spellings are McLaughlin, McGloughlin, McLachlan, McLauchlan, McLachlin, McLoughlan, and MacLaughlin.
The 'Mc' prefix means 'son of', while 'Mac' indicates 'son'. Therefore, some of the surnames lose or change the prefix altogether, resulting in forms like Laughlin, Lochlan, or Lachlan.
Each variant resulted from the transcription of the name as it was heard by English scribes, explaining why there are numerous written forms. Regional accents, pronunciation, and level of Gaelic fluency also contribute to these variations.
Additionally, the surnames that have been Anglicised or 'translated' to English may not always follow the same rules. For example, 'Johnson' could also be a translation of 'MacLaughlen', as both mean 'son of John/Lochlann'.
It is also important to note that the surname's spelling may differentiate within the same family due to migration, illiteracy or personal choice. Surname variant databases or specialists should be consulted for a comprehensive listing.
Famous people with the name MacLaughlen
- James MacLaughlen: British actor best known for roles in "Shakespeare in Love" (1998), "Love Actually" (2003) and "The King's Speech" (2010).
- Neil MacLaughlen: British actor who starred in the television series "Reckless" (2014).
- Donald MacLaughlen: Canadian actor who has appeared in numerous films including "Percy Jackson & the Olympians: The Lightning Thief" (2010), "The Twilight Saga: Breaking Dawn: Part 2" (2012) and "The Hunger Games: Mockingjay: Part 1" (2014).
- James Norman MacLaughlen: American film producer who worked on numerous blockbuster movies including "Back to the Future" (1985), "Gremlins" (1984) and "The Terminator" (1984).
- Alastair MacLaughlen: British actor best known for his role in the television series "Secret Army" (1977).
- Corin MacLaughlen: English actor best known for his roles in "Titanic" (1997) and "Life Is Sweet" (1990).
- Malcolm MacLaughlen: American actor who has appeared in several films including "Ocean's Eleven" (2001), "Tropic Thunder" (2008) and "Kong: Skull Island" (2017).
- David MacLaughlen: British actor best known for his role in the film "The Illusionist" (2006).
- Peter MacLaughlen: English actor best known for his role in the horror film "The Descent" (2005).
- Brad MacLaughlen: Canadian actor who appeared in the television series "Revenge" (2011).