Surname McFarlain - Meaning and Origin

McFarlain: What does the surname McFarlain mean?

McFarlin is a surname of Scottish and Irish origin. It most likely originated with an ancestor who was known as Mac Phárlain in Scotland, or Mac Farlain in Ireland. These names literally mean “son of Parlance” in Scots Gaelic and old Irish, suggesting an ancestor who was an eloquent speaker. It is possible that the Mac Phárlain ancestor was a bard or scholar, due to the nature of their name.

In Scotland, the McFarlain name was common in the areas of Excise, Kilmarnock, Argyll, and Wigtown. In England, it was spelled Macfarland and Macfarlane, in Northern Ireland Macpharlain, and in the Republic of Ireland with a Mc Firlin spelling.

McFarlain has become one of the most widespread surnames in North America. There are more than half a million individuals in the United States with this surname, mainly descended from Scottish or Irish immigrants. Around 30,000 people have this surname in Canada. Because of the prevalence of this surname, there is also a long list of notable people who share the McFarlain name, including politicians, businesspeople, and celebrities.

The meaning of the McFarlain name is a reminder of its Celtic roots, and it stands as a testament to the eloquence and accomplishments of its original bearer.

McFarlain: Where does the name McFarlain come from?

The last name McFarlain is relatively uncommon, although it has been found in various parts of the world. In the United States, the name can be found most prominently in areas with strong Scottish and Irish heritage, such as states like Georgia, South Carolina, North Carolina, and Tennessee. The name is also found in small numbers in parts of the United Kingdom, including Northern Ireland, England, and Scotland. It has been found in smaller numbers elsewhere across Europe and North America as well.

McFarlain is a surname of Scottish origin and was first used by the Clan MacFarlane of Scotland. The name was used by both Catholic and Protestant members of the clan. Over time, it has become more commonly found in countries outside Scotland due to immigration. In more recent decades, it is likely that some people with the name McFarlain have come to the United States and other countries due to political and economic changes in their home countries. In addition, some families may have changed their last name to McFarlain for reasons such as marriage or assimilation into a different culture.

While not a super common name, today the name McFarlain can be found in various parts of the United States and other parts of the world. This is due in part to the movement of people through time, as well as to the hardworking spirit of the members of the Clan MacFarlane.

Variations of the surname McFarlain

The surname McFarlain is a variant of McLeron or MacLeron, which is originally from County Cork, Ireland. It is an anglicised form of the Gaelic name ‘Mac Giolla Chathair’ or ‘the son of the servant of Cathair’, the latter being the Irish for ‘battle lord’. It may also be seen in a variety of spellings, such as McPharlane, MacParland, MacFarlane, MacPharlin, McFarlean and MacPharlane. In addition, McLernon and MacLeron are further variants of this Gaelic surname.

It may also be seen as two separate names: MacFarlane and Parlane. The former is likely to be an anglicised form of the former Gaelic surname, and the latter is an ancient Scottish surname from the region near Loch Fyne. In terms of other surnames of the same origin, variants of the following may also be found in records: McFarland, Lenane, McFarling, McFarlene, and Parlant.

Over time, these surnames have been used interchangeably, so it is important to note the differences in spellings and how they may be connected to a common origin. Many of the different variant forms can still be found in various parts of the world today and are still closely associated with their Irish and Scottish roots.

Famous people with the name McFarlain

• Elizabeth McFarland: She is an American actress known for her role as Nikita Magneto in the television series Squads from 2021.
• Lin McFarland: He is an American actor, known for his roles in movies such as ‘Lethal Weapon’ (with Mel Gibson) and ‘RoboCop’ (with Arnold Schwarzenegger).
• Lee Ann McFarland: She is a Canadian pop singer and songwriter who became popular after the release of her debut album ‘Blitz’ back in 1991.
• Michael McFarlain: He is an American film producer, writer, and director who is best known for his work on movies such as ‘Strangerassic Park’, ‘Love Don’t Cost A Thing’ and ‘That Thing You Do’.
• Sean McFarland: He is an American radio personality, comedian, and actor known for his role on the television series ‘The Drew Carey Show’ between 1995 and 1997.
• Allen McFarlain: He is an American visual artist, specialized in oil painting and pastel drawing. He is known for his use of bright colors in his artwork.
• Pauline McFarlain: She is a Canadian-American actress, model, and prolific voice-over artist. She is best known for the voice of Mrs. Freely in the animated movie ‘Coraline’.
• Debbie McFarlain: She is a Canadian actress who has appeared in a number of films and television shows, best known for her recurring role on ‘The Travelers’, from 2015 to 2018.
• Jackson McFarland: He is an American rock musician, known as the lead singer of the band ‘The Moondogs’, from 2008 to 2013.
• Jocelyn McFarland: She is an American dancer, choreographer, and teacher. She is the founder and principal artistic director of the McFarland Dance Academy in Manhattan, New York.

Other surnames

McFarlanMcFarlandMcFarlane