Surname McAran - Meaning and Origin
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McAran: What does the surname McAran mean?
The last name McAran is of Scottish origin and is a variant of the more common surname Macara. It is derived from the Gaelic Mac Aghadhrain, which means “son of the smith”. It is an old Scottish family name, with the earliest records of its use dating back to at least the 12th century.
The McAran name has been found in many parts of Scotland, but is especially associated with the areas of the Hebrides, Argyll and the Highlands, where the clan system was particularly strong. Today, the McAran clan remains a proud clan and members of the name still live in Scotland, although there are also many members found around the world, in places such as Canada, Australia and the United States, where many Scots emigrated in the 19th and 20th centuries.
The McAran name is believed to have originated as an occupational surname, referring to a person who worked in a smithy. In the old Scottish clan system, smithing was considered a very important role, as horseshoes, nails and other tools were essential for everyday life. Smiths were also skilled in the art of making weapons for defence, adding further to their importance.
Today, the McAran name is still a testament to Scotland's proud history and its many skillful craftsmen. The clan continues to take pride in its name and has held reunions and gatherings both in Scotland and abroad, where members of the clan are able to celebrate their heritage.
Order DNA origin analysisMcAran: Where does the name McAran come from?
The McAran surname is most commonly found in Ireland and Scotland. In Ireland, the McAran surname is found primarily in counties Clare, Donegal, Fermanagh, Galway, and Kerry. In Scotland, the McAran surname is found mostly in the West Coast counties of Argyll, Ayrshire, Dumfries, and Glasgow.
The surname McAran was historically used in most of Scotland and Ulster, which includes much of Northern Ireland today. In the late sixteenth century, the arrival of Scottish settlers in Ulster saw a surge in the use of the surname McAran. Some of these settlers also moved to other regions in the British Isles, such as England, Wales, and the Republic of Ireland.
Today, the surname McAran is found all over the world, with large concentrations in the UK, the US, Canada, and Australia. In the United States, the largest groups of people with the McAran surname are found in Minnesota, New York, California, and Florida.
The McAran surname is derived from the Irish name Mac an Ridire, which means "son of the knight". This suggests that the original McAran's were soldiers in medieval times, and their name has been passed down through the generations. The McAran surname is still in use today, as a reminder of the family's long and proud history.
Variations of the surname McAran
The variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname McAran include: MacArran, McCarran, McCarron, MacArron, MacCarran, MacCarron, McArran, McArron, Micaron, McCarrun, MacAran, MacCaran, McAran, McCaran, MacCran, and McErron.
The surname McAran is of Irish origin, deriving from the Gaelic MacAmhrain clann, meaning “son of the follower of Amhran”. This surname is most commonly found in the Irish provinces of Ulster and Connacht.
The origin of the name dates back to the 12th century. A Brehon named Amhran MacCailin was the first to assume the name and his descendants used it as their surname. Amhran MacCailin was the Chief of a minor clan in County Sligo known as the Corca Amhrain, where the MacCailin Chiefs ruled the area for many generations.
The name MacAmhrain was eventually adopted by other families, and became the basis of many surnames. It is also the source of many different spellings and variants.
Variations of the name MacAran are often found in Scotland, particularly in areas of the Highlands where the nearest Gaelic equivalent ‘Mac an Arain’ or ‘son of the carpenter’ was common throughout the 16th and 17th centuries.
Today, the surname McAran is still common in Ireland, Scotland and England. It can be found in both its original Gaelic and Englished spellings. The different spellings are often used to distinguish between people of the same name.
Famous people with the name McAran
- Eoin McAran: Irish former professional footballer who played in the League of Ireland during the 1980s
- William McAran: American lawyer specializing in First Amendment issues and civil rights cases
- David McAran: Irish sports scholar and former lecturer in physical education
- Richard McAran: British actor and theatre director
- J. D. McAran: American journalist, television host and writer
- Joseph McAran: American politician and member of the Democratic party
- Mary Kirk McAran: American politician who served in the U.S. House of Representatives
- Arthur McAran: Scottish professional football player who played for West Bromwich Albion
- Martha McAran: American surgeon, gynecologist and professor
- Ernest McAran: Canadian-born British film actor of the 1920s and early 1930s