Surname McClelan - Meaning and Origin
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McClelan: What does the surname McClelan mean?
The surname McClellan originates from Scotland and Northern Ireland. It is derived from the Gaelic elements "Mac," meaning "son of," and "Clelland," believed to be a personal name. Therefore, the surname essentially signifies "son of Clelland." The name may also have a locational origin, referring to a place called Clelland in Lanarkshire, Scotland. However, the full etymology and historical meaning of the name are not entirely clear. Variations of the name include McLelland, MacLellan, and McLellan, all of which carry the same root and meaning. Given its origin, the surname is particularly common among those of Scottish or Irish descent. It's worth noting that surnames like McClellan are typically patronymic, signifying ancestry or lineage through the paternal line.
Order DNA origin analysisMcClelan: Where does the name McClelan come from?
The surname McClelan is of Scottish origin, more specifically from the region of Galloway in southwestern Scotland. The name is derived from the Gaelic MacGiolla Eain, which means "son of the servant of St. Fillan." St. Fillan was an Irish hermit who moved to Scotland in the 7th century and is known for his missionary work there.
Variations of the McClelan name include MacLellan, McLellan, and McLelland among others. After the Highland clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries, many Scottish families resettled in other parts of the world, causing the spread of the name to other countries like the United States, Canada, and Australia.
Today, the McClelan surname is most commonly found in the United States. Within the US, it is most prevalent in North Carolina followed by Pennsylvania and Texas. Please note that surname distribution can vary within a country, so while McClelan might be more common in these states, it doesn't mean that it's not present in others. The name is less common in Canada, Australia, and the UK but can still be found in those regions.
Variations of the surname McClelan
The surname McClelan is of Scottish origin, originating from the Gaelic Mac Gille Fhaolain which means "son of the servant of St Fillan". The variations and spellings of this surname have altered over time due to phonetic spelling by different scribes and the movement of clans to other regions or countries.
Common variations and spellings of McClelan include McClellan, McLellan, MacLellan, MacClellan, and MacLelland. There are also anglicised versions like Cleland and Clelland. The different prefixes (Mc, Mac) simply mean "son of" in the Gaelic tongue, and thus, are often interchanged depending on regional preferences.
Other variations may reflect the name's pronunciation in different local dialects or linguistic evolution over time. Some rare variants of the name include McLellon, McLelland, McKlellan, and McLelin.
It is also worth noting that the clan affiliation of the MacLellans primarily originates from the area of Kirkcudbrightshire in South West Scotland. Therefore, it is likely that any variant would have direct or indirect connections to this region or have a historical link to migratory patterns from this location.
Famous people with the name McClelan
- George B. McClellan: American soldier, politician, and railroad executive
- John McClellan: American politician and a United States Senator from Arkansas
- Charles S. McClellan: American lawyer and politician
- James McClellan: American author and historian
- David L. McClellan: American scientist in the field of artificial intelligence
- Tad McClellan: American former Major League Baseball pitcher
- Mark McClellan: American physician-creator of the conservative think tank Center for American Progress
- Pauline McClellan: American singer and songwriter
- Stacy M. McClellan: American actress, director, and producer
- Franklin McClellan: American author, actor, and playwright