Surname MaCracken - Meaning and Origin
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MaCracken: What does the surname MaCracken mean?
The surname MaCracken has Irish origins and is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Reachtain" which originates from the personal name "Reachtan". This name supposedly means "shaped" or "formed" in Gaelic. Often the prefix "Mac" or "Mc" in surnames denotes the meaning of "son of" and therefore MaCracken could be interpreted as "son of Reachtan". Additionally, like many surnames, it has undergone various spellings over the centuries such as MacReachtain, McRaghtin, and even MacGrackan. It is important to note that surnames in Ireland were largely introduced by the Normans and later evolved or were altered due to English linguistic influences.
Order DNA origin analysisMaCracken: Where does the name MaCracken come from?
The surname MaCracken originates from Scotland, where it was first used in the ancient Scottish region of Galloway. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name "Mac Reachtain," derived from the personal name "Reachtan." The elements "Mac" or "Mc" in Scottish and Irish surnames signify 'son of'. Thus, the name can be interpreted as "son of Reachtan."
The distribution of the MaCracken surname is relatively low worldwide, and it does not highly populate any particular country today. The highest concentration of individuals with the MaCracken surname is found in the United States, where it is sparse but more common in comparison to other countries. Despite its Scottish origins, it is less common in present-day Scotland. Other countries where the MaCracken name mildly exists include Canada, Australia, and England. To find a significant concentration of people bearing the surname MaCracken, one would have to research specific areas within these countries with historical Scottish links.
Variations of the surname MaCracken
The surname MaCracken originates from Scotland and is traditionally written in various forms. Some common spellings include McCracken, MacCracken, MacKraken, and McKracken. The differences in spelling typically result from variations in pronunciation and regional influences.
It is important to note that sometimes the 'Mac' or 'Mc' (meaning "son of") may be omitted, producing variations such as Cracken or Kraken. Also, different prefixes were often added, leading to variations such as O’Cracken. The use of capital and small letters (e.g. Mac vs. mc) can also create spelling variations.
Surnames of the same origin are likely to share the same roots or be derived from the same clan, family or geographical location. Some of these may include other Scottish surnames such as MacGregor, MacLeod, MacKinnon, or MacDougall. However, these names might not necessarily imply direct kinship, and could simply point to a common geographical origin or shared history.
It's also worth mentioning that the anglicization of Scottish and Irish names over time has led to a greater number of variations and deviations from the original names. Therefore, records including census, military, immigration and other documents might contain different spellings of the same surname.
Famous people with the name MaCracken
- Matt MacCracken: Matt MacCracken is a baseball catcher and coach. He has played in the majors for the Boston Red Sox, Baltimore Orioles, and the Texas Rangers.
- Christopher MacCracken: Christopher MacCracken is a retired American professional ice hockey player who played almost exclusively in the National Hockey League (NHL).
- Charles MacCracken: Charles MacCracken was an American politician and the twelfth Governor of Arizona. He served in the Arizona Territorial House of Representatives from 1895–1896.
- John MaCracken: John MaCracken was a Presbyterian minister who served as president of Centre College in Danville, Kentucky from 1917–1920.
- John Duncan MacCracken: John Duncan MacCracken was a prominent early twentieth-century architect who designed several buildings in New York City, including St. Paul's Chapel at Columbia University and the American Academy in Rome.
- Eliza Bowen MacCracken: Eliza Bowen MacCracken was one of the first female physicians in the United States. She graduated from Rush Medical College of the University of Chicago in 1876.
- Jean MacCracken: Jean MacCracken is an American country music singer-songwriter. She released her debut album, "Jean MacCracken: Grit of a Woman," in 2003.
- Heather MaCracken: Heather MaCracken is an American actress best known for her roles in the television series House of Lies and the movie Epic.
- William Maccracken: William Maccracken was an aviation pioneer and politician who served as Assistant Secretary of Commerce under President Franklin Delano Roosevelt. He was responsible for the passage of the Air Commerce Act of 1926, which established the Federal Aviation Administration (FAA) and is credited with promoting the development of early aviation in the United States.