Surname McCruden - Meaning and Origin

McCruden: What does the surname McCruden mean?

The surname McCruden, also often spelled as MacCruden or McRudden, is likely of Scottish or Irish origin. The 'Mc' in the name is a common prefix in Scottish and Irish surnames, meaning 'son of'. However, the specific meaning or origin of 'Cruden' is uncertain. It could possibly be derived from the Gaelic word "crud" meaning "hard" or "tough". There is also a place called Cruden in Aberdeenshire, Scotland, so the name might suggest a geographical origin.

Like many surnames, the exact meaning can be difficult to determine due to changes in spelling and pronunciation over centuries, as well as potential mixing with other surnames. The meaning might also have evolved or differed in various regions or families.

It's worth noting that many people with this surname today are found in Northern Ireland and Scotland. However, without detailed genealogical research, it's challenging to draw any concrete conclusions about the exact origin and meaning of the surname McCruden.

McCruden: Where does the name McCruden come from?

The surname McCruden is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Cruitín," which translates to "son of Cruitín." The name Cruitín is a diminutive form of the Gaelic word "cruit," which means harp. This implies that the progenitors of the McCruden clan were likely musicians, specifically harpists. Due to historical mass emigrations from Scotland, particularly during the Highland Clearances of the 18th and 19th centuries, Scottish surnames have spread around the world. While the surname McCruden isn't extremely common, it can still be found in countries such as the United States, Canada, and Australia, where there were significant Scottish immigrant populations. Nevertheless, its highest prevalence remains in Scotland and Northern Ireland.

Variations of the surname McCruden

The surname McCruden is of Irish origin and is believed to have been derived from the Gaelic name Mac Riada, which translates to "son of the rider or knight." It's also thought to be connected to the ancient Irish clan O'Riada.

The surname has undergone many changes and spellings over centuries due to various reasons such as emigration, dialects, and Anglicization. Some of the common variants of the surname McCruden include McCruden, McCrudden, McCrudan, McCrudan, MacRudden, MacCruden, MacRudden, MacRidden, McCruddan, and McCrudden.

Considerable variations of McCruden occur as 'Mc' and 'Mac' prefixes which are often used interchangeably in Scots-Irish surnames. "Mac/Mc" means "son of" in both Scottish and Irish, thus, MacCruden and McRudden are the same, meaning "son of Rudden".

The spelling of surnames has altered over time and can vary considerably. Today, McCrudden is the most common variant. In all of these variations, the core Gaelic origins of the name are retained. In the case of surnames, it is important to remember that the spelling of the name can greatly vary depending on the sources and records.

Famous people with the name McCruden

• Robert McCruden: Actor, known for The Wild Bunch (1969).
• Emily McCruden: Actor, known for Five rude & Fifty Strangers (2020).
• Conor McCruden: Olympic cyclist, competed in the 1992 and the 1996 Summer Olympics.
• Anthony McCruden: Film director, known for his work on Football Wives (2007).
• James McCruden: Scottish Gaelic poet, best known for his work on The Jacobite Neep (1845).
• David McCruden: U.S Air Force Brigadier General, Chief of the Air Force Legislative Liaison and Deputy Chief of Legislative Liaison at the Pentagon.
• Joseph McCruden: Politician and Governor of New Hampshire from 1895-1896.
• Edward McCruden: British-born theatre producer and manager, co-loaded two of the first permanent summer theaters in England.
• Noah McCruden: Hockey player, played for the Nashville Predators
• Robert McCruden: Football coach, coached the University of Wyoming Cowboys football team in 1945.

Other surnames

McCrudden