Surname MacAlinion - Meaning and Origin
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MacAlinion: What does the surname MacAlinion mean?
The last name MacAlinion is a Scottish clan name originating from the Highlands of Scotland. The name has two possible origin stories. The first origin story is that the name was taken from the Gaelic MacGill’Ion, which translates to "son of the follower of St John". This original name was adopted later as MacAlinion, with different spelling variations. The second origin story for the name MacAlinion is that it is derived from the Gaelic MacAloin, which translates to the "son of the valiant one".
The clan associated with this name held the hereditary title of Baron of Strone and chiefs of the Clan MacAlinion. The chiefly line came from the Cameron, MacLean, and MacNeil families, who trace their roots back to ancient Celtic tribes. The territory held by the clan extended from Strone in the west, to Glencoe in the east.
Today, there are numerous descendent families of the Clan MacAlinion all over the world. The variant spellings of this name range from MacAlinion to MacCallion, MacAllon, MacCalun, and MacCallin.
Although not as prominent as they once were, the Clan MacAlinion continue to show their Scottish ancestral pride. This is demonstrated through the celebration of important days such as Saint Andrew's Day, where tartan kilts, Highland bagpipes, and a variety of cultural activities are enjoyed by the clan and its descendents.
Order DNA origin analysisMacAlinion: Where does the name MacAlinion come from?
The last name MacAlinion is most common in Scotland, specifically in Aberdeenshire and around the Great Glen of Scotland near Inverness. This is because the clan MacAlinion originated from Inverness in the Highlands of Scotland. The name is believed to come from either MacAilin, son of Saint Ailin, who was the patron saint of Breifne in Ireland, or from MacGillonie, derived from the Irish Mac Giolla Eoin. This name was derived from the Gaelic name Mac gille Eoin meaning “son of the servant of St. John”.
Today the last name MacAlinion is still found all around Scotland, Ireland, and the United Kingdom. Scotland, in particular, maintains the highest population of people with the MacAlinion surname. However, in recent years, people bearing the last name MacAlinion have spread around the world, creating noticeable populations in Canada, United States, Australia, and New Zealand.
The spelling of the last name may also vary depending on the country of origin. Variations may include MacAlinnion, MacAlinden, MacAlinan, MacAllan, McCallion, and MacLinnion.
Variations of the surname MacAlinion
MacAlinion is a Scottish surname of Clan MacAlister of Ardnamurchan, an ancient Scottish family with a long and proud lineage tracing back to the 13th century. The clan's original name was Mac Iain (Gaelic for "son of John"), but over time they adopted the surname MacAlinion as their own. The most common variants of the MacAlinion surname are MacAlister, McAlister and McAllister. McAlister is the most widely used spelling of the name and is still regularly used in Scotland today.
Other spellings of MacAlinion and related surnames of the same origin are McAllaster, MacAllister, MacAllary, MacAlister, McCalister, McCalaster, McLister and MacAllister. These variant spellings have all emerged within the past few centuries, and today they are all commonly found throughout Scotland.
MacAllister is the most widely used form of this surname in the United States, and it was carried there by Scottish settlers in the 1700s and 1800s. This variant of the MacAlinion surname is likely to have been born out of a spelling mistake. Over time, the extra letter "a" has become accepted as part of the name's spelling.
McLister is a much rarer variant of the MacAlinion surname and is found mostly in the United States and Canada. While its origin is uncertain, it may have emerged from Irish immigrants of the same name. In addition, there is also the rare Dobson-McLister variant, which comes from the marriage of two families with similar surnames.
Famous people with the name MacAlinion
- Gail MacAlinion: American precisionist artist
- Mary MacAlinion: Canadian children's author
- William MacAlinion: Irish politician
- Regan MacAlinion: British actress
- Marcella MacAlinion: American attorney and businesswoman
- Howard MacAlinion: American Navy admiral
- Richardson MacAlinion: American musician
- Christopher MacAlinion: American inventor
- Edith MacAlinion: British TV and film producer
- Stacey MacAlinion: American politician and activist