Surname MacAlonan - Meaning and Origin

MacAlonan: What does the surname MacAlonan mean?

The last name MacAlonan is an Anglicized form of the Scottish Gaelic name Mac Amhalghaidh. The origin of this name is a Gaelic patronymic name derived from the personal name Amhalghaidh, which is composed of two elements: ‘amh’ meaning ‘son of’ and ‘cala’ meaning ‘foreigner.’ This indicates that the original MacAlonan family descended from a foreign ancestor who had settled in Scotland.

The MacAlonans were primarily located in the region of Clann Domhnaill, which is located in the Western Isles. The name appears to have been particularly prominent in the area around the island of Islay and also in Ulster. From this region, the MacAlonans spread out and settled in various areas of Scotland and around the world.

The MacAlonans were seafarers and many of them served with the Royal Navy. They were also successful farmers, traders and entrepreneurs and were actively involved in the Scottish war for independence. They were an important part of Scottish history and culture, and their name is still a proud part of Scotland’s traditions today.

MacAlonan: Where does the name MacAlonan come from?

The MacAlonan surname is common throughout Scotland, Ireland, and the British Isles. It is thought to have originated from the Gaelic Mac an Fhailghinn, meaning "son of the foreigner," and the clan is traditionally associated with the area of western Scotland, especially the Argyll region.

The MacAlonan surname is also found in Canada, the United States, and other parts of the world where people of Scottish descent have settled. In many cases, the surname was anglicized to "McLauchlin" along the way.

The surname is still most common in the Argyll area of Scotland, although it also exists in other areas of Scotland, including the Outer Hebrides and the Shetland Isles. There are also MacAlonans living in Ireland, particularly in the counties that border the Irish Sea and, increasingly, further afield.

In the United States, the MacAlonan surname primarily spread from Scotland to New England in the seventeenth century. The surname is especially common in New England, upstate New York, and Pennsylvania and is also found in other parts of the nation, especially among those of Scots-Irish or Highland Scottish descent.

There are also many MacAlonans living in Australia from both Scottish and Irish ancestry. Moreover, as Australia is a nation of immigrants—where many British Isles immigrants settled—the MacAlonan surname is found in other parts of the world, including Canada, South Africa, Zambia, and New Zealand.

Variations of the surname MacAlonan

MacAlonan is a surname of East Irish origin; the prefix Mac suggests it comes from the Gaelic for ‘son’, so it is likely that this surname was formed from the given name Alonan, which is probably derived from Alan, a well-known first name of medieval Britain. Variants of the MacAlonan surname are plentiful, owing to an alternate spelling of the given name ‘Alonan’ as well as an array of other spellings. The alternate spelling of the given name is ‘Alonan’, and this surname has been linked to other surnames such as MacAloone, MacAloon, Macalaona, MacAloan, MacAloin, MacAline and MacAlioun. These alternate surnames are most prominent in the British Isles and connected with a number of clans and families, some of which have been in Scotland for centuries.

Other variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin include Macconon, MacDonallan, MacDonall, MacConley, MacCullogh, MacElhainy, MacElenna, MacEllenna, MacEloone, MacEloun, MacAlowne, MacAloone, MacAlorn, MacElwain, Patlun, and Edlun. The presence of Mac surnames in Ireland links the MacAlonan surname to multiple clans and families with long lineages in Ireland, Scotland, and England.

In addition, some of these surnames are still used in modern times, meaning that the original MacAlonan surname is still quite prominent and may be a variation of many of these other surnames. Thus, though the given name behind the MacAlonan surname is likely from Alonan, the surname has a wide range of variants, spellings, and surnames of the same origin that can be traced to it.

Famous people with the name MacAlonan

• Rachel MacAlonan: a Canadian poet known for works such as the Collections of Loose Conclusions and Animals in the Garden of the Lord;
• James Patrick MacAlonan: a Canadian professional ice hockey player for the Philadelphia Flyers;
• Shannon MacAlonan: a Canadian professional soccer player for the Vancouver Whitecaps Women FC;
• William P. MacAlonan: a Canadian former Canadian Army Officer, subsequently rising to the rank of Major-General;
• Fraser J. MacAlonan: a Canadian historian specializing in First World War military history;
• Ian MacAlonan: a Canadian linguist, personable speaker and head researcher of the Canadian Language and Literacy Research Network;
• Alison MacAlonan: a Canadian actress known for her roles in films such RoboCop and Resident Evil;
• 443 Blair MacAlonan: a Canadian sergeant major who served in the Second Boer War;
• R.E.A.G. MacAlonan: a Canadian former Brigadier of the Canadian Army;
• Adair MacAlonan: a Canadian former major and CFL player for the Ottawa Rough Riders.

Other surnames

MacAloney