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McClanahan

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McClanahan
PronunciationMcClanahan
Origin
Word/nameIreland-Scotland
Meaningderived from Mac Lennacháin, "The son of he who owns mantles," or Mac Gille Onchon, "The son of the servant of Oncho"
Region of originGaelic
Other names
Variant form(s)MacClannachan, MacClenaghan, M'Clenaghan, McClenaghan, McClanaghan
[1]

McClanahan is an Irish surname that is derived from several Anglicized forms of the Gaelic surname Mac Lennacháin or Mac Gille Onchon.[2]

Etymology

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The New Dictionary of American Family Names translates Mac Lennacháin as "the son of little Leannach" and Mac Gille Onchon as "the son of the servant of Oncho."[3] Leanach means "possessing mantles".[2] Mac Lennacháin is sometimes written as MacClannachan, with variations including MacClenaghan, McClenaghan, M'Clenaghan.[4] Gille is a Gaelic word meaning "servant", more specifically a professional guide for sportsmen, especially in fishing and deerstalking.[5] Onchu, meaning "Mighty hound", was an Irish warrior who participated in the Irish battle of Cuil Corra in 649 CE.[5]

Family motto

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The family motto, as recorded in the McClanahan coat of arms, is "Virtue Is My Honor."[6]

Notable people

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References

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  1. ^ 1990 Census Name Files Archived 2010-10-07 at the Library of Congress Web Archives
  2. ^ a b MacLysaght, Edward. More Irish Families. Irish Academic Press, 1982
  3. ^ Smith, Elsdon C. New Dictionary of American Family Names. Harper and Row, 1973
  4. ^ Black, George F. The Surnames of Scotland., 1946
  5. ^ a b Smith
  6. ^ Baker, S.M. The McClanahan Families From Tennessee to Missouri. LofC #79-111740