Surname MacLain - Meaning and Origin
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MacLain: What does the surname MacLain mean?
The last name MacLain is a Scottish and Irish surname of Gaelic origin. It is believed to have a dual meaning, either, “son of the servant/servant of the son”, or, “son of the land” or “son of the mountain”.
In Scotland, the name is most commonly found in the Highlands and Northern Scotland in Clan Maclain. Clan Maclain is a Scottish clan which was first found in Argyll, along Scotland’s western coast. It was formed by the warfare between the Irish Gaels and the Scots in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries.
The origins of the name MacLain can be found in a variety of spellings, such as Mac_Clain, McClaine and MacClain, or even MacLane. Other spellings have derived from the anglicization of their Mac part, such as Mc and variants MaKay and MaKlien.
Based on the name’s etymology, those that bear the MacLain surname are typically associated as having served as a servant or vassal to their feudal lord or leader, or that they are the descendants of a mountaineer or someone from the land. People with the last name of MacLain are considered to be of an honorable and proud lineage.
The name MacLain is most often found in regions with heavy Irish and Scottish Gaelic influence and heritage. With its origins in the twelfth and thirteenth centuries, the MacLain surname is centered around clans and family history. It implies a proud and honorable lineage that celebrates loyalty and service.
Order DNA origin analysisMacLain: Where does the name MacLain come from?
The last name MacLain is most commonly found in Ireland, Scotland, and Isle of Man. It is an ancient Gaelic-Celtic name, derived from the Gaelic personal name MacGhill Fhlann. The surname is usually represented by two distinct families: one in the north, which took the form of McLain, and the other in the south, which took the form of MacLain.
The McLain family is associated with the Scottish Highlands and most commonly found in north-western Scotland, the northwest of the Hebrides islands, and the Argyll region. MacLain is usually associated with south and west Scotland, and the Isle of Man. The clan members were thought to have originated from the Irish province of Ulster, either Leinster or Munster.
The two spellings of MacLain and McLain are variants of the same Gaelic name and are found today in much of Ireland, as well as parts of Scotland and the Isle of Man. In the United States, persons with the surname MacLain are found mainly in the states of Pennsylvania, Massachusetts, and Ohio. Within Ireland, MacLain is found more than any other region in the southwest, suggesting that there is a particular link with County Cork.
It is also found in Northern Ireland, where it is most common in the city of Belfast. The name is found with some frequency in Canada, primarily in the provinces of Ontario and Quebec. In Ireland, Canada, and the United States, the surname is still used today by individuals of Irish, English, and Scottish descent.
Variations of the surname MacLain
The surname MacLain is a variant of the Scottish-Gaelic surname MacGill-Eain. Other spellings or variants of this surname include MacGillean, MacGillon, MacGilleghobhair and MacGillin.
In many cases, MacLain is also a version of MacClain, MacLean, MacLane, MacLennan, and MacMillan. The most common variant of MacClain is McLain or McClain, which is used throughout Scotland, Ireland, and North America.
In other cases, it can take the form of M'Lain, MacQuillan, MacLorain, and MacLaurin. M’Lain is a popular variant in Scotland, while MacQuillan is common in Northern Ireland.
It can also take the form of MacGillin, MacEwan, MacNiven, MacKinnon, MacLauchlan, and MacGillivray. The MacGillin spelling is most common in Scotland, while MacEwan is found in both Scotland and Ireland. MacNiven is a popular variant in Ireland, while MacKinnon is seen more in Scotland.
It is also possible to find the name in the more distant variations of McLane, MacLellan, McLenan, MacMillan, MacGillen, and MacClure. The McLane and MacLellan spellings are both more popular in Scotland, while the distant McLenan variant is seen more in Ireland. MacMillan is a more popular variant in both Scotland and Ireland, while the MacGillen and MacClure spellings are more common in Scotland.
Famous people with the name MacLain
- Christopher MacLain: American actor who starred in the 2011 independent drama film, Sunlight Jr.
- Shirley MacLaine: American film and stage actress, dancer, activist, and author. She is best known for her Academy Award-winning roles in The Apartment and Terms of Endearment.
- Terence MacLain: British actor and director who has been a part of numerous theatre productions.
- David McLain: American actor who has appeared in television shows and films such as The X-Files, CSI: Miami and Thirteen.
- James MacLaine: British voice actor and musician, primarily known for voice roles in television shows including Rayman 3: Hoodlum Havoc.
- William MacLaine: 19th century Scottish writer and poet.
- Marsha MacLain: American film and television actress, known for her roles in Beverly Hills 90210 and Clueless.
- Catherine MacLaine: Scottish singer-songwriter known for her folk influenced, emotionally charged music.
- Duncan MacLain: Actor who appeared in the 2000 adaptation of Agatha Christie's novel, Ordeal by Innocence.
- Calum MacLain: Scottish actor who appeared in the 2018 Scottish comedy-drama film, Sunshine on Leith.
- Stuart MacLaine: British actor and author, known for writing the 2010 book, How to be a Professional Heathen.