Surname MacLeran - Meaning and Origin
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MacLeran: What does the surname MacLeran mean?
The surname MacLeran is of Scottish origin but its specific meaning is not clearly documented or widely known. Like many Scottish names beginning with 'Mac', it suggests a patronymic origin, meaning 'son of'. So MacLeran could possibly mean 'son of Leran' or derived from a similar personal name. 'Leran' may, in turn, have Scottish Gaelic origins, although the specific significance of this root is also not clear.
However, in tracing ancestry or determining the meaning of a name, variants should be considered. It's possible that MacLeran could be a variant of another Scottish surname, which has changed over time due to factors like emigration, local dialects, and literacy rates in past eras. Spelling changes in names were common, even within single documents or across generations.
Thus, while it is clear the MacLeran surname has its roots in Scotland, its specific meaning may need to be pieced together through genealogical and historical research, considering all possible name variants.
Order DNA origin analysisMacLeran: Where does the name MacLeran come from?
The surname MacLeran is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic elements "mac" meaning "son of" and "Learan," which could be a personal name. Scottish surnames are often based on Gaelic personal names or on geographical places.
However, it's important to note that the exact origin and meaning of "Learan" is unclear, as it does not appear to correspond directly to any known Gaelic names or words. There are several other surnames of similar origin and spelling, like McLerran, McLarin, and McLaren, which may have had influence on the formation and usage of MacLeran.
Today, the surname MacLeran, like many other Scottish surnames, can be found in countries around the world due to immigration and the Scottish diaspora. However, it is not a common surname in any country and it's challenging to provide precise locations where it’s most common. Countries where it might be more common than others include Scotland, the rest of the UK, the United States, Canada, and Australia, but specific prevalence data is not readily available.
Variations of the surname MacLeran
The surname MacLeran might be derived from the Gaelic name MacLaren, a popular Scottish clan name originating from the Perthshire area. With several spelling variations throughout history due to phonetic transcription and regional pronunciations, it could have various forms. Some common variations include MacLarin, MacLaurin, MacLauryn, McLeran, McLaran, McLaurin, and McLauryn.
Other possible iterations could include MacLoren, MacLorean, McLoren, and McLorean. Some other variants might be McLerran, McLerron, MacLerran, and MacLerron. It is also possible that it might be similar to MacLarney or McLarny.
Despite the variations in spelling, these names probably share the same ancestry or historical origin. Information tracing MacLeran-like surnames indicates Scottish or Irish Gaelic roots.
Keep in mind names can change significantly when moving to different languages, regions or even with simple transcription errors, so tracing genealogy can sometimes be difficult with many potential variants.
Famous people with the name MacLeran
- Donald MacLeran: A Canadian canoeist. He is the most successful sprint canoeist in Canadian history, having won 8 gold medals at the ICF Canoe Sprint World Championships.
- Duncan MacLeran: A Canadian speed skater who competed in the 1948 & 1952 Olympic games.
- Roy MacLeran: A Canadian freestyle skier who won bronze medals in the 1992 and 1994 Olympics.
- Angus MacLeran: A Canadian ice hockey player who played in the National Hockey League from 1966-1976.
- Thom MacLeran: The Mayor of the Municipality of Pictou County, Nova Scotia.
- Jack MacLeran: A Canadian soccer player who played for the Canadian Soccer League in the late 1960s and early 1970s.
- Alan MacLeran: A Scottish professional golfer who competed in the Open Championship and the British Amateur Championship.
- Elaine MacLeran: A Canadian rower who won gold at the 1985 Canada Summer Games.
- Kim MacLeran: A Canadian tennis player who represented Canada in the Federation Cup.
- William MacLeran: A Canadian soldier who fought in World War II, receiving the Military Cross for his heroic actions.