Surname McKean - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
McKean: What does the surname McKean mean?
The surname McKean is of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic "Mac Iain" which means "son of Ian". It is predominantly associated with the Hebrides, an archipelago off the west coast of Scotland. The name Ian is the Scottish form of John, meaning "God is gracious." The Mc or Mac prefix in Scottish and Irish surnames indicates 'son of'. So, McKean can be interpreted as "son of John". Over centuries, the surname has taken many different forms due to regional variances and phonetic spellings, such as MacIan, MacKane, MacKean, MacKain, and others. As people with this name migrated, it spread to other English-speaking countries, notably the United States, Canada, and Australia. Various notable people bear the surname McKean, contributing to its recognition worldwide.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKean: Where does the name McKean come from?
The surname McKean is of Scottish origin, and it is derived from the Gaelic Mac Iain, meaning "son of Ian". This surname was first found in Argyllshire, a region in the west coast of Scotland. McKean is a sept, or associated family, of several clans in Scotland, including Clan MacDonald of Keppoch, Clan MacLaren, and Clan Stewart of Balquhidder.
The surname spread throughout Scotland and Ireland through the centuries due to immigration and political turmoils. Today, the surname is common in countries with a significant Scottish and Irish diaspora, such as the United States, Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Thus, McKean is mostly common in English-speaking countries. The largest number of people with the McKean surname presently live in the United States, followed by Northern Ireland, Scotland, and Canada.
Variations of the surname McKean
The surname McKean has numerous variations and interpretations in its spelling based on geographical locations and phonetical translations. Some of these include McKeen, MacKean, MacKeen, McCane, McKeaney, and Mackane. The surname is primarily of Scottish origin and is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Iain", meaning "son of Ian". It's associated with the region of Argyll and the Hebrides Islands in Scotland.
This surname could also be Americanized or Anglicized forming other variations like McKain, McCann, or McKone. The patronymic nature of the name allows for slight modifications to cater to regional dialects and pronunciation habits. Hence, it is quite possible to find other forms of the family name, although these would be less common. In some cases, the prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc', which denotes "son of", could be omitted leading to variants like Keane or Kane.
As with all surnames, it's also possible that it was spelled phonetically in some historical records, which could account for significant spelling variation over time and across different locations. This made it possible for even more variations such as McKin, M’Kean or McKeon.
Overall, the surname McKean alongside its variants retains its cultural and ancestral significance, representing generations of lineage.
Famous people with the name McKean
- Michael McKean: An American actor, comedian, and musician, best known for his roles in "Laverne & Shirley", "This Is Spinal Tap", and "Better Call Saul".
- Howard McKean: A former United States Representative from Maryland.
- Alexander McKean: A British World War I flying ace.
- Susan McKean: An American linguist and Oxford University professor.
- James B. McKean: A U.S. Representative, Chief Justice of the Supreme Court of Utah, and U.S. Senator from Utah.
- Jane McKean: An American actress and dancer.
- Thomas McKean: An American lawyer and politician who was a Founding Father of the United States, signer of the United States Declaration of Independence, and served as the second Governor of Pennsylvania.
- James Wilson McKean: A nineteenth-century politician and lawyer from Pennsylvania and Kansas.
- David McKean: An American diplomat, author, and political advisor who served as United States Ambassador to Luxembourg.
- Rupert McKean: An Australian environmental scientist and activist. Note: Some of these people may not be widely known worldwide but have recognition within their respective fields.