Surname Macleish - Meaning and Origin

Macleish: What does the surname Macleish mean?

The last name Macleish is a Scottish surname originating from the “Macleish” clan in the early 1100s. The name is derived from the Gaelic words Mac Giolla Iosa, which translates to “son of the servant of Jesus” in English. It is likely the Macleishes were a religious family since this is the largest indication of their religious roots.

The first recorded Macleish was Malcolm, who was granted lands at Loch Fyne in Argyll by Highlander Somerled, Lord of the Isles in the 12th century. The McLeish family emigrated to many parts across Britain and the rest of the world, as evidenced through records from the 17th century onwards. Over the centuries, Macleish became a surname common across much of Europe.

In modern times, Macleish is a prestigious Scottish name with a rich heritage and focus on faith and family. Macleish families continue to carry on the tradition of their Scottish heritage and often take pride in their family’s legacy and accomplishments. The name Macleish is a strong, proud clan full of history and determination worthy of admiration.

Macleish: Where does the name Macleish come from?

The last name Macleish is relatively uncommon today, although its origins can be traced back to Scotland in medieval times. It was first found in Ross-shire, an area on the North Coast of Scotland.

The Macleish family were traditional farmers and landowners during the 12th and 13th centuries, and the name is still tremendously proud of its Highland roots.

Today, the last name Macleish is especially prominent in Canada, with the Macleish Family of Canada having established itself in the Province of Nova Scotia in the mid-1700s.

It is also common in the United States, with many families having emigrated from Scotland centuries ago. In particular, the Macleish family is well represented in Pennsylvania, Maryland, Florida, and California.

In addition, members of the Macleish clan are also found in other countries, such as Australia, Germany, and New Zealand. Indeed, the Macleish family can be found in many parts of the world, although it is not as popular as it once was.

Despite its diminishing presence in many areas, the Macleish family is still proud of its long and distinguished past, and is still very much alive today. It is a name that carries with it great strength and pride, which is something that Macleish family members will never forget.

Variations of the surname Macleish

The surname Macleish has multiple variants and spellings, as well as variants of the same origin.

The most commonly seen spelling is Macleish, but other variations exist, such as MacLeaish, MacLease, MacLeese, MacLish, and MacLeish. Each of these variations can be found across different cultures and ethnicities.

The Macleish surname is said to have originated in Scotland, and some people with the surname Macleish can trace their ancestry back to the ancient Gaelic clan of MacLeod.

Macleish can also be found in England, and is believed to be an English variation of the old Scottish and Irish McLiesh name.

The MacLeish surname (pronounced MacLESS) is a variation of the Irish surname McCleese. MacLeish is derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Iosa, meaning “Son of the Servant of Jesus.”

The alternative spelling of MacLeish can also be found in Germany. Some believe the name to be German in origin, and it is probably derived from the old German occupational name MacLese or Mac Loss.

Finally, some variant spellings of Macleish are derived from the Hebrew given name Maccabaeus, which may have been used as a personal name for some ancestors of Macleish families.

In conclusion, the surname Macleish is believed to have originated in Scotland and England, and there are multiple variants and spellings found across different cultures and ethnicities. Each of these variants has its own origin or etymology and can be traced back to the ancient Gaelic clan of MacLeod, the old German occupational name MacLese or Mac Loss, and the Hebrew given name Maccabaeus.

Famous people with the name Macleish

• Archibald MacLeish: twentieth-century American poet, playwright, and public intellectual.
• Kenneth MacLeish: producer, writer and director of film and television.
• William MacLeish: author and editor.
• John MacLeish: American zoologist and author.
• Stuart MacLeish: Australian photographer.
• William J. MacLeish: Harvard professor and prominent anthropologist.
• Jonathan MacLeish: Scottish author, playwright, and director.
• Kenneth MacLeish: Professor, Lyme Disease expert and biostatistician.
• Alexander MacLeish: British politician and businessman.
• Angus Cameron MacLeish: prominent attorney in the United States.
• Ruth MacLeish Scott: founding member of the League of Women Voters.
• John Archibald MacLeish: prominent jurist, professor and dean of The Ohio State University.
• Hillary MacLeish: American stylist, editor and creative director.
• Paul MacLeish: Grand Slam tennis player from Great Britain.
• Thomas MacLeish: UK doctor and author.
• Donald MacLeish: Canadian naturalist and wildlife photographer.
• Keith MacLeish: American musician and composer.
• Philip MacLeish: British government and military memoirist.

Other surnames

MacLeister