Surname McClane - Meaning and Origin
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McClane: What does the surname McClane mean?
The surname McClane is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic "Mac Gille Eathain" which means "son of the servant of Saint John." The McClanes were a prominent sept (branch) of the larger Clan MacLean in the Hebrides and West Highlands of Scotland. The surname may also refer to several geographical locations, notably in the United States. Like many Scottish surnames, McClane was commonly adopted by families who were not biological descendants of the original Macleans, but were instead tenants or associates of the clan. The name is widely recognized due to the character John McClane from the "Die Hard" film series. Over centuries, the spelling of such surnames has often changed to fit regional phonetic preferences, hence the variation McClane as opposed to McLean or MacLean.
Order DNA origin analysisMcClane: Where does the name McClane come from?
The surname McClane is Irish in origin. It stems from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Eáin which means "son of the servant of John." This last name includes various spellings such as McLean, MacLean, McLain, and McLane. In earlier times, the surname was concentrated in the Western Isles of Scotland but spread across the country and to Ireland over time due to movement, marriage, and war.
Today, the surname is found predominantly in the United States, Scotland, Ireland and the United Kingdom. In earlier generations, many individuals bearing this last name migrated to the US during the 19th century, predominantly due to the Scottish and Irish diasporas caused by the Highland Clearances and the Great Famine respectively.
A notable person with this last name from popular culture is the fictional character John McClane from the 'Die Hard' series, making it further well-known internationally. Despite its spread, the name maintains a strong presence in Scotland and Ireland, reflecting its roots. Overall, the surname represents a thriving lineage with deep Gaelic roots.
Variations of the surname McClane
The surname McClane has several variant spellings, which is primarily influenced by regional accents and phonetic translations over different periods.
Some of its variants include: McClan, McLean, McLane, McLeane, MacLane, MacLeane, MacClean, MacClain, MacClane, MacLeane, Macklane, Macklean, Maclane, and Maclein.
There are also surnames that are stemmed from the same Gaelic origin, which is "Mac Gille Eathain" or "Mac Giolla Eain", meaning "the son of the servant of Saint John".
Those surnames include: MacLean, MacLaine, McLean, McLaine, McClain, MacLain, McClaine, McLain, Gillespie, and Gilzean.
As these names were anglicized from old Gaelic, the changes in spellings and variants are abundant, depending on the phonetic interpretation and regional differences in pronunciation.
Please do note that even though these variants and surnames have the same or similar etymological origins, tracing back the genealogical connections might require more in-depth research and analysis. Also, there can be multiple origins for the same name, depending on geographical locations and historical migrations. Different families with the same surname might not necessarily share a common ancestor or origin.
Famous people with the name McClane
- Bruce Willis: Actor best known for his role as John McClane in the Die Hard movie franchise.
- Bonnie Bedelia: Actress best known for her role as Holly Gennero McClane in the Die Hard movie franchise.
- Craig T. Nelson: Actor best known for his role as John McClane Sr. in the Die Hard movie franchise.
- Kim Delaney: Actress best known for roles in NYPD Blue and All My Children.
- Jack McClane: retired football player played for the Los Angeles Rams and Tampa Bay Buccaneers.
- Christopher McClane: Actor and singer best known for roles in Grey's Anatomy and The Closer.
- Riley Marin: Social media star and makeup artist.
- Shannon Bradley-Colleary: Television writer and producer.
- Mike McClane: Former United States Air Force Major General.
- David E. McClane: American television producer and writer.