Surname McRaney - Meaning and Origin
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McRaney: What does the surname McRaney mean?
The surname McRaney is of Irish origin with roots tracing back to Monaghan County in Northern Ireland. The name is derived from the Gaelic term "Mac Braoin," with "Mac" meaning "son of" and "Braoin" likely being a personal name. The exact meaning of "Braoin" is unclear, but it may derive from a word meaning "sorrow." Therefore, McRaney could be interpreted as "son of sorrow."
However, interpretations of ancient names should be taken lightly since they were often based on colloquial phrases or characteristics of the family at the time the name was given. Furthermore, surname meanings have likely evolved over centuries due to regional language differences and transcription errors.
Notably, McRaney is not a common surname, and anyone with it is likely related, possibly distantly. Among well-known McRaneys is American actor Gerald McRaney, known for his television roles in "Simon & Simon," "Major Dad," and "Promised Land."
Order DNA origin analysisMcRaney: Where does the name McRaney come from?
The surname McRaney is of Scottish origin. It's an Anglicized form of the Gaelic Mac Rànnaigh, which means ‘son of Rànnaigh’. Rànnaigh or Rànach is a personal name meaning unknown or a byname articulating mystery. Scottish surnames often carry prefixes like 'Mac' or 'Mc', translating to 'son of' in English, suggesting lineage or patriarchal descent.
The surname McRaney most likely started its journey in the region of Galloway in southwestern Scotland. However, many Scots migrated throughout history due to economic, political, or social turbulence, leading to the distribution of Scottish surnames worldwide.
Today, the surname McRaney is commonly found in the United States, a fact typically attributed to the Scottish diaspora during the 18th and 19th centuries when large numbers of Scottish immigrants settled in America. Names like this are especially prevalent in states that saw significant Scottish settlement, such as the Carolinas and other parts of the eastern U.S.
It's also worth noting that Gerald McRaney, a well-known actor in America best recognized for his roles in television series like "Simon & Simon," "Major Dad," and "House of Cards," has helped maintain the name's visibility.
Variations of the surname McRaney
The surname McRaney is of Irish origin and its variations can include alternative spellings and anglicized versions of the original Irish name. One of the ways the name could be spelled includes McGraney, which has been found in historical records. It is possible that the surname was originally more similar to O’Raney or MacRaney in Ireland.
As genealogical research often deals with centuries-old records, it’s common for last names to have several spelling variations due to translation errors and the phonetic spelling used by record keepers. Other variations might include: McCraney, MacRaney, McRainey, McReynolds, among others.
Further, Irish surnames often remove the prefix 'Mc' or 'Mac' during anglicization, hence, Raney could also be a possible variant. Moreover, similar surnames like McCranny, McCaney, and McGraney may originate from the same or similar Irish names, even if the direct connection has been lost over time.
Remember, due to regional dialects and diverse spellings, all these variants could very well stem from the same original family line. It is always advisable to research and trace back the origin and family history to get an accurate understanding of one's lineage.
Famous people with the name McRaney
- Gerald McRaney: An American television and film actor, best known for his roles in TV series such as "Simon & Simon," "Promised Land" and "Major Dad". He also starred in Netflix's "House of Cards" and NBC's "This Is Us," for which he won a Primetime Emmy Award.
- Delta Burke: While not her birth name, this American actress used the last name McRaney during her marriage to Gerald McRaney. She is best known for her role as Suzanne Sugarbaker in the CBS sitcom "Designing Women".
- Deidre Hall: Known as Deidre McRaney during her previous marriage to Steve Sohmer, this veteran American actress is best known for her portrayal of Dr. Marlena Evans on NBC's daytime drama "Days of Our Lives".
- Jessica McRaney: Daughter of Gerald McRaney and his first wife Beverly Root. She is a known actress from her roles in the 1980s in several TV series.
- Kate McRaney: Daughter of TV star Gerald McRaney and Pat Moran, is known for various contributions to the family's entertainment legacy. Please note that while Deidre Hall and Delta Burke used the last name McRaney due to their respective marriages, their professional work in the entertainment industry is primarily recognized under their maiden names.