Surname McFaden - Meaning and Origin
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McFaden: What does the surname McFaden mean?
The last name McFaden derives from the Scotland-Gaelic MacFadden, which itself comes from the Irish Ó Fáthain. The literal translation of these terms is ‘son of Kenneth’, although McFaden itself may also originate from a contraction of the Irish given names Fachtna and Fodhna.
The McFaden surname is especially associated with the lands of Argyll in Northwest Scotland, with variations of the name found in a number of different countries including Canada, the United States, Australia, and England.
In Scotland, the clan McFadden was known to have close links to the cadet line MacDougalls, and they typically occupied the lands around Appin in Argyll. In the early part of the 19th century, many of those who bore the name McFaden removed to North America, where their descendants can be found today.
Today, the McFaden name is associated with strong determination and a pioneering spirit. Those bearing the surname have historically shown themselves to be able to adapt to difficult situations, whether that was in Scotland, Ireland, or abroad. This determination and ingenuity has echoed through each generation, allowing the McFaden name to be associated with strength and resiliency.
Order DNA origin analysisMcFaden: Where does the name McFaden come from?
The last name McFaden is most commonly found in North America, especially in the United States and Canada. It is believed to have originated in Scotland, and it is still common in the Scottish Highlands as well as in the United Kingdom and Ireland. The name McFaden has also spread to other parts of the world, such as Australia, New Zealand, South Africa, and even Latin America.
In the United States, the highest population density of McFadens is found in the states of Arizona, California, and Texas. This is likely because of their relatively long-term connection with the country, as many families have emigrated from the United Kingdom to the U.S. centuries ago. Amongst US states, the most common counties where you can find McFadens are Summit County in Colorado, Boone County in Kentucky, and Bexar County in Texas.
In Canada, the provinces with the highest population of McFadens are Alberta and Ontario. Many of these families moved here during and after World War II.
In more modern times, the McFaden last name is growing in popularity due to the internet and social media. As a result, one can spot people with this name around the globe.
Variations of the surname McFaden
The surname McFaden has several variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin. The most common is McFadden, which is the most widely used form of the name in both Ireland and Scotland. This form of the surname originated as a variant of the Gaelic name MacFhionnghaile, meaning "son of Fionnghaile". Other variations of this surname include McFadzen, McPhaden, MacFaden, MacFadden, MacFadin, MacFaine, and MacVadden.
In Scotland, variants such as MacFadzean and MacPheden can also be found. MacPheden is found predominately in the North-East of Scotland while MacFadzean is found predominately in the South-West. This form of the surname is thought to have evolved from the Gaelic name Mac Ceadain, meaning "son of Ceannchada".
Other variants of the McFaden surname include McFadin, McFadyen and McFaday. The surname McFadin is most commonly found in Scotland and is derived from an Olde Scottish personal name. It may also have evolved from the Gaelic name Mac Phadiesn, meaning "son of Phaddan". The surname McFadyen likely evolved from the same Olde Scottish personal name, however, this variant is not as commonly found. The surname McFaday is found predominantly in Ireland and is derived from the Gaelic name MacPadaidh, meaning "son of Padaidh".
Finally, the surname McAvaden is also derived from McFaden and is primarily found in Ireland. This variant likely evolved from the Gaelic name Mac Aibheadan, meaning "son of Aibheadan". All of these surnames, regardless of which variant they take, ultimately descend from the same origin.
Famous people with the name McFaden
- Scotty McFaden: He is a multi-platinum originally Canadian singer and songwriter who has written or co-written three top ten singles and four Billboard Hot 100 number one singles.
- James McFaden: He is a Canadian actor, director and writer best known for his roles in television and film.
- Caroline McFaden: She is an Australian actor best known for her role in the popular television series, Home and Away.
- John McFaden: He is an American politician and former member of the Montana House of Representatives.
- Matt McFaden: He is a professional boxer and mixed martial arts fighter who has competed in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).
- Pete McFaden: He is an American musician and songwriter who has released five studio albums.
- David McFaden: He is an American football coach who has served as the head coach for the University of South Carolina, Clemson, and Harvard.
- Katie McFaden: She is an American model and online influencer who has been featured in magazines including Teen Vogue and Glamour.
- Kevin McFaden: He is an American professional basketball player who has played for the Los Angeles Lakers.
- William McFaden: He is an American actor who has appeared in a number of television shows, including Law and Order, Friends, and The Practice.