Surname MacAldin - Meaning and Origin
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MacAldin: What does the surname MacAldin mean?
The surname MacAldin is an ancestral Scottish surname derived from the Gaelic language, and means "son of Aldin." Aldin was a popular given name in Scotland in medieval times. The name likely originated from the Gaelic “Albhin”, meaning “elf” or “white.”
MacAldin family history can be traced back to the mid 1400s when their ancestor, Gilchrist MacAldin, arrived on the Scottish island of Islay. Since then, the MacAldin family has spread out from Islay to other parts of Scotland, as well as other parts of the world.
Today, the MacAldin name is primarily associated with Scotland, though there are many people who can trace their ancestry back to this surname all over the world. While the surname is not as common as some other Scottish names, it is still one of the oldest and can be commonly found in records and documents dating all the way back to the 16th century.
Though the MacAldin name may not be as commonly known as it once was, its history is still remembered and honored today. The MacAldin name is still spoken with pride by those who bear it, and continues to live on as a reminder of Scotland’s proud ancestry.
Order DNA origin analysisMacAldin: Where does the name MacAldin come from?
The last name MacAldin is believed to be of Scottish origin and is still found mainly in Scotland today. Additionally, as Irish immigration to the United States has grown, so too, has the presence of the last name MacAldin in the United States. It is most common amongst immigrants of Irish and Scottish descent who have settled in cities such as Boston, New York, and, to a lesser extent, Los Angeles. In fact, the name MacAldin has become increasingly popular in Massachusetts over the last few decades with varied spellings - MacAlinden being one - also seen.
The origin of the name itself likely stems from the Gaelic language as it contains the prefix "Mac," a prefix typically used by those of Gaelic descent to identify a child born of a chief or laird. This prefix is used in conjunction with Aldin, itself believed to derive from the Gaelic "allaid," meaning "strife." Taken together, this name is thought to have represented somebody whose ancestors were believed to have been of strong martial ability.
The last name MacAldin can also be found scattered throughout the world, from Canada to Australia, its presence being a result of the families of those who had emigrated in the distant past.
Overall, MacAldin remains a fairly uncommon surname, with most of its bearers being found today in Scotland and the United States.
Variations of the surname MacAldin
The surname MacAldin has a variety of related spellings and surnames that all have the same origin.
The original surname, MacAldin, is of Scottish origin and it means “son of Aldin”. Aldin is a given name derived from an Old Norse personal name, Alfthak, which means “all wise” or “wise one”. The original surname MacAldin first appeared in records in the year 1664 in Inverness, Scotland.
Variations on the original surname MacAldin include MacAlden, MacAllden, MacAlbin, MacAldins, MacAllan, MacAllin, MacAlinden, MacAldoon, MacAlloon, and MacIldoon.
The anglicised surnames which are derived from MacAldin include Aldin, Alden, Allden, Albain, Aldins, Allman, Allin, Alinden, Aldoon, Alloon, and Ildoon.
The variant spellings of MacAldin used in different languages include MacAllingen (Irish) and MácAldin (Basque).
Unique surnames which have been derived from MacAldin include Mallin, Mallinson, Malone, Melon, Maddin, McDain, and MacMillan.
Famous people with the name MacAldin
- Kirsten MacAldin, a British television actress who has played roles in various drama series such as EastEnders.
- Colin MacAldin, a Canadian actor who has appeared in various films and television shows, such as The 100, Supernatural, and The X-Files.
- Duncan MacAldin, a Scottish actor best known for his roles in the BBC dramas Outlander and Poldark.
- James MacAldin, a stage actor and writer who has performed in several New York City plays and films, such as Saturday Night Fever.
- Madeline MacAldin, an Australian writer and actress, best known for her recurring roles in the television series Home and Away and Packed to the Rafters.
- Neil MacAldin, an American musician and record producer who has worked with some of the most renowned artists in music, from Elton John to Metallica.
- Patrick MacAldin, a Northern Irish actor best known for his roles in films such as My Left Foot, The Commitments and The Crying Game.
- Ross MacAldin, a British filmmaker and video director, whose works include the award-winning documentary series The British High Commission and the biopic No One’s Business.
- William MacAldin, an American writer and filmmaker, famous for producing and directing the documentary films Delta Force and Escape from Alcatraz.