Surname McKerachan - Meaning and Origin
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McKerachan: What does the surname McKerachan mean?
The last name McKerachan is an old Scottish name with roots in the Gaelic language. It is derived from the Gaelic 'mac Chreachain' which translates as 'son of Creachan'. Creachan was a personal name that came from the Gaelic word 'creach' which means 'plunder'. This gives an indication of the occupation of the first bearer of this surname, which was probably that of a warrior or raider.
The McKerachans were a family of warriors from the Highlands of Scotland. They could trace their lineage back to the MacRory family, which was one of the most powerful families during the 12th century. They were renowned for their bravery and valour, and they rose to prominence as one of the leading families in Scotland during the 13th and 14th centuries.
The family also had links to the Scottish royal family, and there are records of them being in attendance at the coronation of King Alexander III in 1249. The McKerachans were renowned for their loyalty and courage, and they fought in several battles throughout the course of their history.
The name McKerachan is still held by many families across Scotland, and it is an apt reminder of the bravery and courage of their ancestors. The warriors of old upheld the traditions of their Highland heritage, and their memory is kept alive through their descendants who proudly carry their name today.
Order DNA origin analysisMcKerachan: Where does the name McKerachan come from?
The last name McKerachan is mostly found in Scotland, particularly in the northwest region of Scotland. This area, known as the Highlands, was a stronghold of the ancient Scottish clan, the McKerachans, which was formed in the 16th century. Today, the name McKerachan is found in places like Aberdeenshire, Argyll, and Inverness-shire, as well as scattered around other parts of the country.
The McKerachans were originally a powerful clan descended from Scottish families from the Stewart line. This clan was particularly keen on hunting and as a result, they established famous estates like Drumahill and Ardlamont near Loch Awe, Argyllshire.
In addition to Scotland, the last name McKerachan can also be found in countries like the United States, Canada, New Zealand, Australia, South Africa, and India. It is likely that at least some of the people with the last name McKerachan in these countries can trace their roots back to Scotland.
In the early 21st century, there are still many places in Scotland with the McKerachan name, and it is likely that the name will persist for many generations to come. While the Clan may no longer be as powerful as it once was, its legacy will be remembered for many years to come.
Variations of the surname McKerachan
The surname McKerachan is ancient and is believed to have originated in Scotland, where families of the same origin often spell and pronounce their surname differently.
Variants of McKerachan include McKeirachen, MacKerachan, McKeraghan, McKeragin, McKerrigan, McCarraghan, McRaghen, McCareacan, McRachaan, McKirechon, MacKiraghan and more.
In Scotland and Ireland, the most common alternative spelling of McKerachan is MacKerachan. This spelling was also used as an anglicization of the surname. Alternatively, some families with the surname spell it MacKeraghan or McKeraghan.
The spelling McKeragin and McKerrigan are also relatively common spellings of the surname, but the origins of these variants are not known.
McCarrahan and McCarraghan are Irish variants of the surname, deriving from a Gaelic form of the name.
Other Gaelic variants of the surname include McRaghen and MacKiraghan. McRachaan is also a variant of the name, originating predominantly in South West Scotland.
McBrayer is a surname variant of McKerachan from the area of Aberdeen, Scotland. McKirechon and McCareacan are also variants originating from Scotland.
All of these variants of McKerachan are quite rare but each family of the same origin can still be identified by the phonetic similarities of the names.
Famous people with the name McKerachan
- Craig McKerachan: rugby player for Scotland, currently the head coach for the Edinburgh Rugby team
- Dave McKerachan: swimmer who represented Scotland in the 2006 Commonwealth Games
- John McKerachan: producer of the film adaptation of the novel "The Great Gatsby"
- Aileen McKerachan: Scottish actress, appears in the television series "Outlander"
- Ali McKerachan: former cricketer for the Scotland national cricket team
- Eileen McKerachan: a prominent figure in the Scottish Women's Institutes
- Flora McKerachan: Scottish writer and poet
- Scott McKerachan: a former professional footballer in the Scottish Football League
- Lynne McKerachan: an artist from Edinburgh, also known for her abstract photography
- Mark McKerachan: Scottish international soccer player, currently playing for Celtic FC