Surname McFarlan - Meaning and Origin
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McFarlan: What does the surname McFarlan mean?
McFarlan is an anglicised version of the Scottish surname MacPharlain. It is thought to have originated in the Scottish highlands in the 12th century and is an ancient Clan from the Argyll area.
The family can trace their roots back to a Celtic tribe known as the Fir-Laoghaires, who were descended from the kings of Dalriada. This many not have been the original spelling of the name, since it is a modern derivation, but it has become the most widely used by those with the name today.
The name itself is likely derived from the Gaelic “Mac Pharlain,” which means “son of Bartholomew.” In some cases, the name may have evolved from “Mac Pharlane,” with the same meaning.
The Clan McFarlan were involved in many area of the Highlands, including fishing and dairy farming. The family was also renowned for its warfare skills, and members of the clan have been involved in many conflicts, from the Wars of Scottish Independence to the Jacobite Uprisings.
Today, members of the McFarlan family are scattered around the globe, due to emigration. The name can still be found in many areas of Scotland, but is also quite common in Ireland and areas of western Canada and the United States where large numbers of Scottish people settled in the 19th Century.
Order DNA origin analysisMcFarlan: Where does the name McFarlan come from?
The last name McFarlan can be found in many parts of the world today. In the United States, individuals with this surname are found mainly located near the Eastern Seaboard and Midwest, however it is also moderately populated in states like Arizona and California.
In Canada, residents with this last name are prevalent in Ontario, Alberta, and British Columbia as well as the Maritimes. Prevalence of the McFarlan surname is higher in many regions of the United Kingdom, especially in Scotland, where the origin of this surname is believed to have originated. In Scotland, McFarlans are predominant in areas such as Aberdeenshire, Lanarkshire, and Inverness-shire.
Residents of other countries including Australia, New Zealand, the Netherlands, France, and Germany can also be found bearing the McFarlan surname. It is also popular in certain African countries, likely due to the arrival of Scottish immigrants in the 19th century.
In short, the last name McFarlan is today especially popular in the countries of Scotland, Canada, and the United States, but can also be found in various other countries around the world.
Variations of the surname McFarlan
The surname McFarlan is derived from the Gaelic surname Mac Pharlain. Variants of Mac Pharlain include Mac Farlane, Mac Pharland, Mac Parlan, Mac Farlane, MacFarlane, and McFarland. Spellings of the surname McFarlan include McFarlane, McFarland, and Pharlan.
McFarland is a particularly common variant of McFarlan, often seen as a surname in its own right. It is an Anglicised form of Mac Pharlain and first began to appear in Ireland and Scotland around the 16th century. The first recorded use of MacFarlane was in 1580, with the name appearing in records in Scotland and Ireland thereafter. McFarlane is also common and is derived from the same root as McFarland. It is less frequently seen outside Scotland and Ireland than McFarland.
Mac Parlan and Mac Parland are two closer variants of the Mac Pharlain surname, indicating that those who bore the name may have originated in Scotland or Ireland, rather than elsewhere in Britain. Both variants first appeared in records during the 16th century.
Other variants include Pharlan, a variant of Mac Pharlain or Mac Farlane which first appeared as a surname in Ireland around the 16th century, and Mac Farlane. This variant first appeared in Scotland around the 14th century, with some possible instances of the surname Mac Farlane appearing in records prior to this.
The variants of the surname McFarlan are many and varied. It is believed that their Celtic roots suggest that all variants derive from the Gaelic Mac Pharlain, which is now the most popular form of the name.
Famous people with the name McFarlan
- Todd McFarlane: comic book creator, broadcaster, entrepreneur and co-founder of Image Comics
- Fuad Al-Mufti: award-winning architect and professor of architecture at the University of Michigan
- Taylor McFarlane: former professional Canadian football player and founder of the mental health organization Furnace
- Scot McFarlane: politician and former Member of the Legislative Assembly for Prince Edward Island
- Agnes McFarlane: award-winning and internationally acclaimed Inuit artist
- Colin Ferguson: actor and director
- Tracey McFarlane: Canadian curler
- Paul McFarlane: Fly-in Outfitter for Trout, bass and hosts outdoors TV shows
- Adam McFarlane: Scottish film director
- Trevor McFarlane: former Australian rower and Olympic gold medalist