Origin & Meaning of the Maclean Surname
What does the last name Maclean mean?
The surname Maclean carries the meaning "Son of Maclean." It is derived from the Scottish Gaelic language and has been passed down through generations, reflecting the occupations, locations, or characteristics of early bearers of the name. With 7,504 bearers in the 2010 US Census, Maclean ranks as the #4,726 most common surname in the United States.
Where does the surname Maclean come from?
The Maclean surname has its roots in Scottish heritage. Names of Scottish origin often reflect the cultural, linguistic, and historical traditions of the communities where they first appeared. Over centuries, migration and cultural exchange have spread the Maclean name far beyond its original homeland.
Language of Origin
The linguistic roots of Maclean trace back to Scottish Gaelic. Understanding the original language helps decode the meaning and evolution of the name from its earliest recorded forms to the modern spelling used today.
Quick Facts
| Surname | Maclean |
|---|---|
| Meaning | Son of Maclean |
| Origin | Scottish |
| Language | Scottish Gaelic |
| US Rank (2010) | #4,726 |
| US Count (2010) | 7,504 |
| Per 100K People | 2.54 |
| First Letter | M |
Ethnic Distribution of Maclean
According to the US Census, the Maclean surname is distributed across the following ethnic groups. This data reflects self-reported ethnicity among 7,504 Americans with the Maclean last name.
| Ethnicity | Percentage |
|---|---|
| White | 93.44% |
| Black | 0.76% |
| Hispanic | 2.99% |
| Asian/Pacific Islander | 0.8% |
| Native American | 0.23% |
| Two or More Races | 1.79% |
Popularity of Maclean Over Time
Comparing US Census data from 2000 and 2010 shows how the Maclean surname has changed in prevalence.
The number of Americans with the Maclean surname increased by 377 between 2000 and 2010.
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The Complete Story of the Maclean Family
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- ✓ The Maclean coat of arms & heraldry
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- ✓ Name variations & spellings worldwide
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Similar Surnames to Maclean
These surnames share similar popularity, spelling, or cultural background with Maclean.
Other Scottish Surnames
Explore more surnames with Scottish roots. There are 162,254 surnames in our database — here are some that share the same Scottish origin as Maclean.
Frequently Asked Questions About Maclean
Top Surnames Starting with M
The most common American surnames that begin with the letter M, ranked by population.
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