Surname McCallen - Meaning and Origin
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McCallen: What does the surname McCallen mean?
The last name McCallen is of Scottish origin. It is derived from MacNeill, which is an anglicized form of the Gaelic MacNiall, meaning “son of Neill”. The personal name Neill originated as the Gaelic Niall, an ancient Irish/Gaelic name meaning “champion” or “cloud”, and was often used to honour a great warrior.
The first recorded spellings of the surname, MacNeill, first appeared in the early 13th century, in a record of John filius Neilli.
Overall, the surname McCallen has a rich history and is steeped in a proud and noble heritage. It is a common surname in Scotland and northern Ireland, and can be found scattered throughout the rest of the British Isles. It can also be found in various parts of the world, particularly in Europe and North America, where it is most numerous.
The surname McCallen reflects strength and resilience, as these are qualities that were highly valued by those who chose this name. Furthermore, it is symbolic of the legacy passed down through generations of Scottish descendants, and the loyalty of ancestors to uphold traditional values.
Order DNA origin analysisMcCallen: Where does the name McCallen come from?
The last name McCallen is believed to be of Scottish or Northern Irish origin, though its exact origin is not yet known. It is most common today in the countries of the United Kingdom and Ireland.
The name made its way to North America at least as early as the late 18th century. Records indicate a McCallen family in the United States as early as 1790. In the late 19th century, many individuals bearing the name McCallen immigrated to Canada and the United States, settling across the east coast in Pennsylvania, New Jersey, and New York.
Evidence suggests that the family was already widely dispersed across North America by the latter half of the 19th century. A study of the geographic distribution of the name McCallen in the United States reveals the highest concentrations in the states of Pennsylvania and New York.
The name is also reported to be present in other countries, such as Australia, New Zealand, Quebec, and France. In each of these areas, the McCallen family name is still found, but generally on a much smaller scale than in North America.
Overall, the geographic distribution of the last name McCallen displays a concentrated distribution in the United Kingdom, Ireland, and North America. The family can also be found in many other countries, though on a significantly lesser degree.
Variations of the surname McCallen
The surname McCallen is of Irish origin. It is a variant of the surname McCallan and McCallion. Most of the variants of this surname are found in parts of Ireland, England, Scotland and Northern Ireland.
McCallon is the original surname. It was derived from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Fhaoláin, meaning ‘son of the devotee of St Faoláin’. The name Faoláin originated from the Latin Felix, which means ‘fortunate’ or ‘lucky’. McCallan is an anglicised form of the Gaelic name, as is McCallion.
The surname McCallen is also spelt as McCallin, McChallin, McCollen, McCallon, MacCallen, MacCallin, McAullen, MacCallan, MacCallon, MacCallein, MagCallen, McCaulen, McCallon and MacCollen.
Variations of the surname McCallen can also be found in other parts of Europe, such as Germany, Belgium, France, Czech Republic, Slovakia, Austria, Croatia, Slovenia, Lithuania and Bulgaria. It is also found in Canada, the United States of America, Australia, New Zealand, Argentina and Mexico.
Other spellings of this surname include McCoe, Callan, Callon, Callin, Kallan, McCoulen, McClellan, and McClelland. Surnames with the same origin as McCallen but with different spellings include Mathuna, McFaline, Fhalan, Fhalane, Hallan, and O'Mhalláin.
Overall, the surname McCallen is an ancient and widespread surname. It is possible to find many different spellings throughout the world today.
Famous people with the name McCallen
- Angus McCallen (Irish-Canadian priest)
- Craig McCallen (American police officer)
- Elizabeth McCallen (horticulturist)
- Evan McCallen (former major league pitcher)
- George McCallen (historian and author)
- Geoffrey McCallen (actor)
- Gretchen McCallen (musician)
- Jack McCallen (former professional boxer)
- Jake McCallen (actor and singer)
- Jody McCallen (singer-songwriter and record producer)
- Joseph McCallen (pirate)
- Kenny McCallen (filmmaker and television producer)
- Meg McCallen (former professional basketball player) 14. William McCallen (Irish-Australian journalist and activist)