Surname MacLawes - Meaning and Origin
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MacLawes: What does the surname MacLawes mean?
The surname MacLawes is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic personal name MacLaghuis. This name is formed from the element mac meaning “son of” and Laghus or Leahus, a personal name likely derived from the Old Norse Loki which translates to “Beloved”. As far as its place of origin in Scotland, MacLawes is primarily found in the regions of Argyle and Bute.
Throughout its line, the surname MacLawes has had various spellings. In some instances it has been written as MacLeish, MacLaugh, MacLauchlan and MacLauchlen. It is likely that these spellings were adopted in order to make the name easier to pronounce and easier to spell.
Given its deep Scottish roots, the surname MacLawes is strongly associated with the nation’s culture, values and heritage. Many of the surname's bearers today remain proud of their Scottish history and roots. Furthermore, many members of this surname often use the common tartan pattern proudly associated with clans in the area.
Given its Scottish background and strong association to the nation’s culture and heritage, the last name MacLawes can be associated with a strong sense of pride and determination. Those who carry the MacLawes surname today are proud of the fact that they are direct descendants of the wonderful people who settled in Scotland in centuries past.
Order DNA origin analysisMacLawes: Where does the name MacLawes come from?
The last name MacLawes is primarily associated with Scotland and Ulster in Northern Ireland. In Scotland, the surname is most common in the Western Isles, Aberdeenshire, Angus, Edinburgh and North Ayrshire. In Ulster it is common especially in County Londonderry and County Antrim.
Throughout Scotland, the name MacLawes is particularly common among the traditionally Catholic Irish-Scots population. During the 1600s, numerous Scots-Irish families moved to the Western Isles of Scotland- particularly Islay, North Uist, Benbecula, and Barra- to escape English domination.
The surname is common around the world today, especially in the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Many Scottish emigrants bearing the name MacLawes settled in these countries in the 19th and 20th centuries, largely in search of a better life. In the United States, the surname can be found in nearly every state and is concentrated in Pennsylvania, New York, Tennessee and Iowa.
The MacLawes surname is associated with the Clan MacLauchlan, a Scottish clan descended from the ancient Scottish kingdom of Dalriada. The clan's ancestral homeland is believed to have been located in Kintyre, Scotland. The MacLauchlan family trace their lineage back to the 12th century and it is believed that the first MacLauchlan chief acquired vast lands in Glenorchy, Scotland in 1360. This is the place that many modern-day MacLawes call home.
Variations of the surname MacLawes
The surname MacLawes is a patronymic derived from the name of a recent ancestor. It has several variations, spellings, and other surnames derived from the same origin.
Variations of MacLawes include McLawes, McLaws, and MacLaws. These variations can take on different spellings of the same name, such as MacLaawes, McLawws, McKLawes, and MackLawes.
There are also surnames of other origins that are similar to MacLawes, such as MacLuses, MacLous, and McLoose. These all have different spellings and pronunciations, but are ultimately derived from the same ancestor.
The Welsh forms of MacLawes are MatClauss, MathClauss, MacClauss, and MatClaas. This is because many Welsh names are derived from a patronymic, in the same way as MacLawes.
Further spellings of MacLawes include MacClews, MacClus, MacClews, and MacClues. These spellings can be seen in English records from the early 1600s onwards.
The surname MacLawes is also found in Scotland, where it is often written as MacLaws and McLaws, although others spellings have been seen, as well. In Scotland, the Gaelic variant of MacLawes is MacGillews.
In conclusion, MacLawes is one of a variety of surnames derived from a common ancestor and has many variations and other spellings. Each of these variations has its own unique spelling, pronunciation, and origin.
Famous people with the name MacLawes
- Tamsin MacLaws, actress and writer
- Allan MacLaws, former Scottish footballer
- Ben MacLaws, British-Canadian painter
- Robert McLaws, Lieutenant Governor of Ontario
- Alexander MacLaws, Canadian engineer
- Helena MacLaws, Scottish-American anchor
- Brian MacLaws, American screenwriter
- Angus MacLaws, Canadian ice hockey player
- Jack MacLaws, Australian aviator
- Niall MacLaws, New Zealand farmer