McFarland
Pronunciation: mək-FAR-lən
Meaning
son of Farlane
Origin
Scottish Gaelic
History & Etymology
McFarland is a Scottish surname of Gaelic origin. The 'Mac' prefix means 'son of', and Farlane is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic personal name 'Phàrlan', which itself is a diminutive of 'Partholon'. Partholon is a legendary figure in Irish mythology, said to be the leader of the first group of people to settle in Ireland after the biblical flood. The clan associated with this name, Clan MacFarlane, was historically based around Loch Lomond in Scotland.
The name has been used as both a surname and occasionally as a given name, particularly in areas with strong Scottish heritage. Its use as a given name, especially for females, is a more modern development, often following the trend of using surnames as first names.
Famous People Named McFarland
Alternative Spellings & Variants
- MacFarlane
- Macfarlane
- McFarlane
McFarland in different fonts
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