McLellan
A Scottish surname, most likely from the Gaelic Mac Gill Fhaolain line associated with the name Gillian/Gille Fhaolain, later simplified in spelling.
The #5,505 most common surname in the United States (2010 Census) — about 1 in every 48,868 Americans shares it.
Etymology
McLellan is a Scottish surname written in several historical forms, including MacLellan and McLelland. The most likely explanation is that it represents a Gaelic patronymic, usually linked by older writers to Mac Gille Fhaolain or a related form built on a personal name such as Gille Fhaolain; over time, the middle elements were reduced and the spelling was anglicized. Because the historical record shows several similar forms beside Cleland, Clelland, and related spellings, some older etymologies treated these names as connected or interchangeable.
History
The surname is strongly associated with southwest Scotland, especially Galloway and Kirkcudbrightshire, where the MacLellan family of Bombie was historically prominent. Anderson’s 19th-century history notes a powerful family seat at Bombie and several notable bearers in the 15th and 16th centuries. In later centuries the name spread beyond Scotland through migration, and modern records show both McLellan and Maclellan as established forms.
Origin
Regions
Variant spellings
Fun fact
The MacLellan family’s castle at Kirkcudbright was built in 1582 and still stands in ruin today.
From the historical record
“Directory has aueh forms as H-Leland, H'Lellan, HacLetlan, McLellan, Haclclhui, and McLel- land. I have inserted Cleland and Clelland bere as they liave an English local appearance. 174S-9. Jahn Cleland and JaneStnid-”
— A Dictionary of English and Welsh Surnames, with special American instances