Surname MacLaurie - Meaning and Origin
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MacLaurie: What does the surname MacLaurie mean?
The surname MacLaurie is of Scottish origin and can be traced back to the ancient Dalriadan clans of Scotland’s west coast and Hebrides islands. The name is derived from the personal name Laurence, an Anglicized form of the Gaelic "Labhrainn." The prefix "Mac" in Scottish and Irish names translates to "son of." Therefore, MacLaurie can be interpreted as meaning "son of Laurence." Like many surnames, it was likely first used to denote lineage and family heritage. Due to historic migration and spread, individuals bearing the surname MacLaurie or variations of it can be found not only in Scotland and Ireland, but worldwide. The name may have various spellings, including MacLaren, MacLaron, and others, due to phonetic transcriptions and translations over the centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisMacLaurie: Where does the name MacLaurie come from?
The surname MacLaurie is of Scottish origin. The name is a derivative of the Gaelic Mac Labhruinn which translates to "son of Labhran", a personal name equivalent to Lawrence. The MacLaurie surname has several spelling variations including MacLaren, McLaren, MacLaurin, and McClaran among others. The clan is believed to descend from Laurence, Abbot of Achtow in Balquhidder who lived around the 13th century. The MacLauries, as part of the extensive Scottish diaspora, spread across various parts of the world, including North America, Australia, and New Zealand. Today, it is found in those areas as well as Scotland, particularly in areas such as Perthshire and Stirlingshire. Even with its distribution, it’s not considered a particularly common surname.
Variations of the surname MacLaurie
The Scottish surname MacLaurie is also spelled in various ways including MacLaurin, MacLaren, McLaren, McLaurie, McLarin and MacLaron. The name is derived from a patronymic form of the Gaelic personal name Labhran, which is the Gaelic form of Lawrence.
Surnames of the same origin, derived from the name Lawrence, include MacFhloinn, McLorinan, McLorinan, and McClarence, along with English derivations of Lawrence such as Lawson, Larkin, Lawry, and Lowry. In addition, depending on the region of Scotland or Ireland in which the name appeared, it could have morphed into McLawrin, McLawry, McLaury, McLorry, McLorey, McLaran, McLarnon or McLauren.
Various clans in Scotland also have connections to these surname variants including Clan MacLaren, which has its roots in the area surrounding Balquhidder in Scotland.
The variations of the name appear more frequently in regions where Gaelic was traditionally spoken. Over time and with geographical dispersion especially throughout the United States, Canada, and Australia, the spellings of the surname have evolved and diversified significantly.
Famous people with the name MacLaurie
- Donald MacLaurin: a Scottish theologian, philosopher and mathematician.
- Mackenzie MacLaurin: a New Zealand-born doctor and a Member of Parliament.
- Emily MacLaurin: an American Emmy-nominated visual effects producer who worked for Industrial Light and Magic.
- Morag MacLaurin: a Scottish independent film producer and writer.
- Mary Catherine MacLaurin: a Canadian singer and poet.
- Niki MacLaurin: a New Zealand-born actress and singer.
- Duncan MacLaurin: a Scottish-born lawyer and Member of Parliament.
- Ronald MacLaurin: a Canadian-born writer and the author of several books on history and politics.
- Jennifer MacLaurin: an American actress best known for her work on Broadway and in television.
- Hugh MacLaurin: a Scottish-born physicist and chemist who served on the first team of scientists for the Manhattan Project.