Surname McCleane - Meaning and Origin

McCleane: What does the surname McCleane mean?

The last name McCleane is of Scottish origin; it has a rich history with ties dating back to ancient Scotland. It is a variant of MacLean, which is derived from the Gaelic "MacGilleEathain" meaning "son of the servant of Saint John." The name has roots in the Hebrides, where the MacLean clan held extensive territories during the Middle Ages. The clan was known for its strength, courage, and leadership in battle. So, the surname McCleane, like many old Gaelic names, carries historical significance relating to family ancestry, religious devotion, and valor. It's important to note that spellings of Scottish last names may vary greatly as Scottish names were historically translated from Gaelic to English phonetically, leading to different translations and spellings over time. Therefore, variations in the spelling of McCleane may exist.

McCleane: Where does the name McCleane come from?

The surname McCleane is of Scottish origin. It is a variation of McLean, and it is derived from the Gaelic Mac Gille Eathain, which means 'son of the servant of St. John.' The surname initially emerged in the Western Isles region of Scotland.

Despite its Scottish origins, the surname has spread worldwide due to migration. The highest concentrations of people with the McCleane surname are notably found in the United States, the United Kingdom, Australia, and Canada today. Within the United States, it is particularly prevalent in states such as Pennsylvania and South Carolina. Notably, the name may be less common than the original spelling or other variations. The frequency of the name can be influenced by factors such as migration of McCleane family members, spelling changes over generations, and regional cultural preferences.

Variations of the surname McCleane

The surname McCleane is of Scottish origin, originating from the Gaelic clan name "MacGilleEathain," which translates to "son of the servant of St. John". Various spellings and variants of the surname McCleane have developed over time, likely due to factors such as immigration and phonetic spelling. These can include but are not limited to:

1. McClane

2. McLane

3. McClean

4. McLean

5. MacLean

6. M'Clean

7. MacLaine

8. MacLane

9. MacLeane

It can also have prefixes such as 'Mac', 'Mc' or even 'M''. It's crucial to note that the use of 'Mac' or 'Mc' can be interchangeable within families and records. For instance, some people may have transformed their name from 'Mc' to 'Mac' upon immigration to the United States or other English speaking countries to better fit into the new social context.

Surnames also often transformed to fit the phonetic pronunciations of the local language. Therefore, an individual might be recorded with various spellings of their surname throughout their lifetime. Despite the different spellings, all these variants trace their roots back to the same original Gaelic name, "MacGilleEathain."

Famous people with the name McCleane

• Honor Blackman: English actress known for playing Cathy Gale in The Avengers, Pussy Galore in Goldfinger and more recently Miss Tara in The Day of the Triffids.
• Raymond McCleane: Irish pianist, composer and musical director best known for his time with the Royal National Symphony Orchestra.
• Matthew McCleane: Australian singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist behind several albums including "If I Was for Real".
• Michael McCleane: Voice actor of several major video game series.
• Liam McCleane: English actor best known for playing Sheriff Tom in The Guardian.
• Seán McCleane: Irish actor best known for playing evil Father Duffy in the short film "Eddie the Clown".
• Donald McCleane: Canadian composer and musician best known for his work on the series "Power Boys".
• Kim McCleane: British actress best known for her roles in the popular television series "Misfits".
• Maureen McCleane: American artist, musician and writer best known for her distinctive sculptures and large-scale murals.
• Norman McCleane: Canadian singer and songwriter known for his numerous recordings and international tours.

Other surnames

McCleafMcCleanMcClearinMcClearnMcClearnsMcClearonMcCleary