Surname MacEachin - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacEachin: What does the surname MacEachin mean?
MacEachin is a Scottish surname that originated from the Gaelic language. The name is derived from the term "Mac Eachainn" which means "son of Eachan". "Eachan" itself is a Gaelic personal name composed of two elements: "each" meaning "horse" and "an" a diminutive suffix. Hence, the full meaning can be interpreted as "son of the little horseman" or "son of horse-lord". Like many surnames that started as patronymics (i.e., derived from the father's name), MacEachin points to a possible characteristic or occupation of an early ancestor, likely horse-related, perhaps referring to a horseman or horse breeder. Remember that different sources might provide slightly different interpretations of the name. This surname is mainly found in Scotland, particularly in the Hebrides.
Order DNA origin analysisMacEachin: Where does the name MacEachin come from?
The surname MacEachin is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Gaelic name "Mac Eachain," meaning "son of Eachan" or "son of Hector." The name was first documented in the 14th century in the Isle of Islay, within the region of Argyll in the Western Scottish Highlands.
The spread of the MacEachin name has been influenced by historical events such as the Highland Clearances in the 18th and 19th centuries, when many Scottish land dwellers were forcibly evicted and sought new lives in North America. Today, variations of the name are common in countries such as the United States, Canada, Australia, New Zealand, and the UK, signifying the diaspora of Scottish people around the globe.
In modern times, like many other surnames, MacEachin is not overly abundant worldwide, but it's more likely to be found in areas with significant affinities to Scottish culture and heritage. This can include regions within Scotland itself, parts of Canada, Australia, and the United States - within the latter, particularly in areas with a strong Scottish diaspora.
Variations of the surname MacEachin
The surname MacEachin has its roots in Scottish Gaelic language and belongs to Clan MacDonald of Clanranald, one of the largest Scottish clans. This surname, originating from the Gaelic name 'Mac Eachainn', meaning 'son of Eachann', has several variants and alternative spellings due to different phonetic translations over centuries and regions.
Some common variants and spellings of MacEachin include McEachin, McEachan, MacEachan, MacEachen, MacEachern, Maceachern, McEachern, Maceachan, McEachan, McEachen, Mackechan, MacKechnie, Mackechine, Mackichan, and Mackichan. This is not an exhaustive list and some variants may have only a remote connection to the original surname's meaning or the MacDonald clan.
Surname variants often arise due to pedigrees branching out, adoptions, marriages, or anglicizations. Therefore, some modern surnames interacting with MacEachin could be a result of these historical family events rather than linguistic evolution.
In some cases, prefixes like 'Mac' or 'Mc' could be dropped or added due to regional adaptations or personal preference, leading to variations in the surname's form. Thus, forms like 'Eachin' or 'Eachan' could also be plausible although less common.
Famous people with the name MacEachin
- Neve MacEachin: Canadian actress best known for her role as Angelica in the TV series Orphan Black
- Alistair MacEachin: British actor who is best known for his role in the game show Weakest Link
- Duncan MacEachin: Scottish folk singer and songwriter
- Scott MacEachin: Canadian actor, writer, and director
- Sean MacEachin: Scottish actor, best known for playing Joe in River City
- Alice MacEachin: British actress, known for playing Anne in the BBC One drama Happy Valley
- Christian MacEachin: English actor who portrayed serial killer Roy Hattersley in the third series of Luther
- Jane MacEachin: British actress, best known for her role as Rosemary in ITV's drama The Wakefield Mysteries
- Stuart MacEachin: English actor, best known for his role as Ted in the BBC Two comedy series The Catherine Tate Show
- Tracy MacEachin: British director and producer, best known for her work on the film Hope Springs Eternal