McClanahan is an Irish surname that is derived from several Anglicized forms of the Gaelic surname Mac Lennacháin or Mac Gille Onchon.[2]
| Pronunciation | McClanahan |
|---|---|
| Origin | |
| Word/name | Ireland-Scotland |
| Meaning | derived from Mac Lennacháin, "The son of he who owns mantles," or Mac Gille Onchon, "The son of the servant of Oncho" |
| Region of origin | Gaelic |
| Other names | |
| Variant form(s) | MacClannachan, MacClenaghan, M'Clenaghan, McClenaghan, McClanaghan |
| [1] | |
Etymology edit
The New Dictionary of American Family Names translates Mac Lennacháin as "the son of little Leannach" and Mac Gille Onchon as "the son of the servant of Oncho."[3] Leanach means "possessing mantles".[2] Mac Lennacháin is sometimes written as MacClannachan, with variations including MacClenaghan, McClenaghan, M'Clenaghan.[4] Gille is a Gaelic word meaning "servant", more specifically a professional guide for sportsmen, especially in fishing and deerstalking.[5] Onchu, meaning "Mighty hound", was an Irish warrior who participated in the Irish battle of Cuil Corra in 649 CE.[5]
Family motto edit
The family motto, as recorded in the McClanahan coat of arms, is "Virtue Is My Honor."[6]
Notable people edit
- Brent McClanahan (born 1952), American football player
- Craig McClanahan (born 1953), American programmer
- Ed McClanahan, American novelist, essayist, and professor
- Elijah McClanahan (1770–1857), American planter and soldier
- Elizabeth A. McClanahan (born 1959), Justice of the Supreme Court of Virginia
- Jeffrey McClanahan, American novelist
- Kim McClenaghan (born 1974), South African poet and writer
- Meade McClanahan (c.1894–1959), American industrial engineer and businessman
- Pete McClanahan (1906–1987), American pinch hitter in Major League Baseball
- Randy McClanahan (born 1954), American football player
- Rebecca McClanahan (born 1951), Democratic Representative from Missouri
- Rob McClanahan (born 1958), American ice hockey player
- Rue McClanahan (1934–2010), American actress and comedian
- Scott McClanahan, American writer, economist, explorer, and martial artist
- Shane McClanahan (born 1997), American baseball pitcher
- Timothy R. McClanahan (born 1957), American biologist and conservation zoologist
References edit
- ^ 1990 Census Name Files Archived 2010-10-07 at the Library of Congress Web Archives
- ^ a b MacLysaght, Edward. More Irish Families. Irish Academic Press, 1982
- ^ Smith, Elsdon C. New Dictionary of American Family Names. Harper and Row, 1973
- ^ Black, George F. The Surnames of Scotland., 1946
- ^ a b Smith
- ^ Baker, S.M. The McClanahan Families From Tennessee to Missouri. LofC #79-111740
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