Surname MacLenny - Meaning and Origin
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MacLenny: What does the surname MacLenny mean?
The last name MacLenny is a Scottish surname of Gaelic origin which dates back to the 12th century. The name is derived from the Gaelic ‘MacConnell’, meaning ‘son of Connell’. The clan has been associated with the area of Loch Linnhe and the Isle of Mull, Scotland since it was first recorded in various documents in the 12th century.
From the 12th to the 17th centuries, the MacLenny clan played a major role in the politics, economy, and culture of the region. They held positions of power and influence throughout the island with their roots connected to the MacFarlane and MacDonald Clans. During the 18th century, many members of the clan emigrated to other parts of the world, with the majority settling in North America.
Today, the name is still common throughout Scotland and is also occasionally found in other parts of the world, particularly in the United States. People with the surname MacLenny often refer to themselves as ‘MacLennies’ and can trace their lineage back to this historic Scottish clan.
Order DNA origin analysisMacLenny: Where does the name MacLenny come from?
The last name MacLenny is of Scottish origin and is a variation of the name MacGlenny. It is most common today in Scotland and its surrounding areas.
In Scotland, MacLenny is particularly common in the South West part of the country, especially in the traditional Clan Lands of the Earl of Lennox. The Earl of Lennox is the hereditary holder of the title and is based in the area of Dumbarton, Dunbartonshire. This is the same area that was once the territory of the original Clan MacLenny.
The name is also found in Ireland, particularly in the counties of Donegal, Cavan, and Monaghan, which were settled by Scottish immigrants during the 17th century.
Outside the British Isles, the name is somewhat less common, but it can be found in a few different areas of Europe and North America. In the United States, the states with the largest number of people whose last name is MacLenny are Washington and Texas. In Europe, the name appears to be most common in the Netherlands, though there are also some people with the surname in Germany, Norway, and Italy.
Variations of the surname MacLenny
The MacLenny surname can be spelled a few different ways depending on the dialect and location of the bearers. The most common spellings are McLennan, McLennon, McLenon, MacLennon, and MacLennan. Other spellings of the same origin are McClellan, McLellan, Clellan, Clellan, and McClelland.
The variations of the surname MacLenny originate from Scottish Gaelic, where the root McLen- translates to “son of the follower of St. Lonan” or “son of servant of the church.” This corresponds to the Old Irish personal name O’Lonain. The McLennan’s were originally from Kilmarnock in Ayrshire. The name spread in several directions and is now most commonly found in the Highlands and Islands of Scotland.
The variants of the surname MacLenny are spread all over the world, with one of the larger concentrations being Scotland. In Scotland, the McLennon’s largely occupy the Northern and Western Isles, the Hebridean Islands, and some parts of the Highlands. The surname is also prominent in other parts of Britain, including Ireland, England, Wales, and Northern Ireland.
In addition to the variants listed above, there are many other variants of the MacLenny surname, including MacLello, MacLogan, MacGillen, and MacGlen. These spellings can also be found in major population centers throughout Europe, North America, Australasia, and even Africa.
Regardless of which spelling of the surname one is born with, the roots of the MacLenny family are deeply set in Scottish roots and culture. This tie to Scotland still influences the way many of the MacLenny descendants around the world live, even when they are so far away from their ancient home.
Famous people with the name MacLenny
- Jamie MacLenny: a former professional soccer player.
- Jonathan MacLenny: an American actor.
- Robert MacLenny: a former mixed martial artist.
- John MacLenny: a British actor.
- Gavin MacLenny: a former professional rugby player.
- Dougie MacLenny: a Scottish former professional footballer.
- David MacLenny: a former Scottish footballer.
- Stuart MacLenny: a British actor and director.
- Donnie MacLenny: a former professional basketball player.
- William MacLenny: a British explorer and adventurer.