McCaslin
A Scottish or Irish Gaelic surname likely meaning “son of Caslan” or “son of Caslin,” preserved in a Anglicized Mc/Mac form.
The #7,106 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 65,565 Americans shares it.
Etymology
McCaslin is an Anglicized Gaelic surname built on the prefix Mac/Mc, meaning “son of,” plus a personal name such as Caslan or Caslin. The second element is not completely secure, but it is usually treated as a Gaelic personal-name base rather than a word with a transparent modern English meaning. In practice, the surname is best understood as a patronymic: “descendant of Caslin/Caslan.”
History
The name is found chiefly in North America in forms such as McCaslin and MacCaslin, reflecting immigration and later spelling variation. Like many Gaelic surnames, it was stabilized in English spelling after migration, with the prefix sometimes shortened to Mc. It is relatively uncommon today and is especially associated with Irish- and Scottish-descended families in the United States and Canada.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
Mc surnames often preserve an older Gaelic patronymic pattern even when the original personal name has become obscure.