Surname MacEachern - Meaning and Origin
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MacEachern: What does the surname MacEachern mean?
The last name MacEachern is of Scottish origin, originating from the Gaelic culture. It comes from the Gaelic personal name "Eachdonn", which is composed of two elements: "each", meaning horse, and "donn" meaning brown. Therefore, MacEachern can be roughly translated to mean "son of the brown horse". It is a patronymic surname, meaning it was originally used to identify individuals by their father's name or profession. The prefix "Mac" in Gaelic surnames means 'son of'. This name can also be found under different variations, including McEachran, McEachern, McEachen and others. Like many surnames, the spelling and form of MacEachern may have evolved or changed over time due to different translation, phonetic spelling and regional dialects.
Order DNA origin analysisMacEachern: Where does the name MacEachern come from?
The surname MacEachern has Scottish origins. It is a patronymic name formed from the Gaelic personal name "Eacharn", composed of the elements "each", meaning "horse", and "arn", meaning "iron". Thus, the name can be interpreted as "horse of iron". The MacEacherns are traditionally associated with the western and southwestern parts of Scotland, particularly the regions of Argyll and Galloway.
As with many surnames from the British Isles, MacEachern spread to various parts of the world as a result of immigration and colonization. Therefore, today it can be found in a number of countries, including the U.S., Canada, Australia, and New Zealand. Notably, it remains common in Scotland and in areas with strong Scottish heritage, such as Nova Scotia in Canada. However, due to the variety of spellings and modifications the surname has experienced over time, it may also be encountered as McEachern, McEachran, and McEachin among others.
Variations of the surname MacEachern
The surname MacEachern originates from Scotland and is of Gaelic origin. It derives from the Gaelic name Mac Eachairn, where "mac" means son and "Eachairn" comes from the personal name Eachdonn. This name has been anglicised and adapted into various forms over centuries, resulting in numerous spellings and variants.
These include: McEachern, McEachren, McEachrane, McEachran, MacEachren, Macechern, Maceachran, M'Eachern, McHechearn, MacHechearn and more. Some rare forms of the surname may also exist. It is also quite common for the prefix "Mac" or "Mc" to be omitted entirely, leaving surnames like Eachern or Eachern.
Another common practice is to anglicize the surname's phonetics resulting in surnames such as McKechan, McKichan, or McKechin. Different regional accents may also have influenced how the name was written, creating variations that may not seem immediately related to the original surname.
The family of this surname was historically associated with the Scottish region of Knapdale and Island of Islay. As people from these regions emigrated to other parts of the world, they might have localized or changed the surname to better fit into their new environments, creating more variations.
Famous people with the name MacEachern
- Claudia MacEachern: She is a well-known professor in political science and former faculty chair at Claremont McKenna College in Claremont, California.
- Doug MacEachern: A retired professional ice hockey player who played 198 games in the National Hockey League.
- Scott MacEachern: An archaeologist who has made significant contributions to African Archaeology. He has worked in several African countries using archaeological evidence to shed light on past African societies.
- Billy MacEachern: A notable Canadian politician who served as a Nova Scotia legislator in the 1970s.
- Andrew MacEachern: An influential photographer known for his work in landscapes and cityscapes. His mastery in usage of light and contrast sets him apart in the photography world.
- Charlene MacEachern: A well-respected Canadian figure skater who represented her country in various international competitions. Please note that while the people on this list have the same last name, they are not necessarily related.