Surname MacMolane - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacMolane: What does the surname MacMolane mean?
The surname MacMolane is not common and doesn't appear in most traditional surname databases, so it's quite challenging to decipher its exact meaning. Its prefix "Mac" is Gaelic for "son of", often found in Irish and Scottish names. However, "Molane" doesn't have a clear cut meaning in Gaelic languages. The closest resemblances may be the surname "Mulhane" which is an Anglicization of the Gaelic "Ó Maoláin", meaning "descendant of the devotee of St. John", or "MacMullan/MacMullen" which could mean "son of the bald or shaven-headed one". Also, "Molone" could be linked with "Mael Eòin", meaning "devotee of St. John".
Considering the potential inaccuracies due to translation, transcription errors, or evolution of language over time, definitive interpretation can be difficult. It could also be altered over generations due to regional accents and dialects. So, it's best to get a professional genealogist or use a established genealogical sources for a thorough interpretation.
Order DNA origin analysisMacMolane: Where does the name MacMolane come from?
The surname MacMolane is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic personal name "Maolán," which is a diminutive of "maol," meaning bald or tonsured. The prefix "Mac" translates as "son of," so the full name can be interpreted as "son of Maolán."
However, the exact geographical origin of MacMolane is unknown because the name appears to be rare and isn't well documented. Some suggest it might be associated with the Western Isles or Highlands of Scotland.
Finding the current prevalence of the surname is also a challenge due to its rarity. Data from genealogical databases, surname distribution maps, and online phone directories indicate that the MacMolane surname is not particularly common anywhere in the world today.
In general, Scottish surnames like MacMolane tend to be more common in countries that have seen significant Scottish immigration, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Moreover, with various spellings (Macmillan, MacMullan, MacMullen, etc.) resultant of historical recording errors and pronunciation discrepancies, descendants of the original MacMolanes could be more widespread than records might suggest.
Variations of the surname MacMolane
The surname MacMolane appears to be of Irish origin, where "Mac" usually means "son of" and is a common prefix in Irish surnames. Looking at potential variations, the name might be alternatively spelled as MacMulane, McMulane, MacMullane, McMullane, MacMolan, or McMolan.
The name could also potentially be a variant of the Irish surname MacMillan (or McMillan). The name MacMillan/McMillan itself has a number of variants including MacMillen, McMillen, MacMillon, McMillon, to name a few.
Another common trend in Irish surnames is to drop the "Mac" or "Mc" prefix, which could lead to potential derivatives like Molane, Mulane, Mullane or Molan.
These are, however, educated guesses based on general patterns in Irish surname spelling and variation. It's possible that the specific surname MacMolane has its own unique history and variants. Genealogical research or a consultation with a name historian may reveal more accurate and detailed information. Please note that the spelling of surnames may have changed over centuries due to factors like migration, translation into other languages, or phonetic spelling.
Famous people with the name MacMolane
- Gary MacMolane: He is a renowned American astrophysicist and science educator.
- Paul MacMolane: He is an American film and television actor and performer.
- John MacMolane: An American composer, producer, and songwriter from Brooklyn, New York.
- Jim MacMolane: American politician who served as the 30th Mayor of Detroit from 1983-1984.
- Alan MacMolane: British writer, best known for his books about British military history, including Invasion 1940, Invasion 2002, and Blitzkrieg 2000.
- Cal MacMolane: Scottish professional footballer who played for Celtic during the 1960s and ‘70s.
- Polly MacMolane: Noted Scottish author of childrens' stories.
- David MacMolane: American artist and illustrator from Massachusetts.
- Harry MacMolane: British actor and television presenter, known primarily for his role as the Sheriff of Nottingham in the BBC series Robin Hood.
- Scott MacMolane: Professional American longboard surfer and stuntman from California.