Find out how popular the first name Maclaren has been for the last 17 years (from 2002 to 2018) and learn more about the meaning and history.

Popularity of Maclaren by gender

Based on the last 17 years of data, Maclaren is more commonly used as a female name, with approximately 63% of people named Maclaren being female.

For the most recent data in 2018, there were 5 male babies and 0 female babies born with the name Maclaren.

It's also interesting to see that despite Maclaren being historically a mostly female name, the most recent data from 2018 shows a shift in the trend, with more male babies being named Maclaren.

The history of the first name Maclaren

The given name Maclaren has its origins rooted in the Scottish Gaelic language and culture. It is derived from the combination of the Gaelic words "mac" meaning "son" and "laren" which is derived from the name Labhran, a diminutive form of the name Laurence.

The name Maclaren gained prominence in the 12th and 13th centuries among the Highland clans of Scotland, particularly in the regions of Argyllshire and Perthshire. It was commonly used as a patronymic surname, indicating the bearer's lineage as the "son of Laren" or "son of Laurence".

One of the earliest recorded references to the name Maclaren can be found in the ancient Gaelic manuscript known as the Book of Deer, which dates back to the 9th century. This manuscript contains various land grants and charters, some of which mention individuals bearing the name Maclaren.

Throughout history, several notable individuals have carried the name Maclaren. One of the earliest recorded was Gillecrist Macillaren, a 13th-century Scottish nobleman who served as the Constable of the Isle of Mull. Another prominent figure was Donald Maclaren (c. 1570-1640), a Scottish historian and poet who authored the renowned work "The Lament for the Lords of Argyll".

In the 18th century, Archibald Maclaren (1755-1826) gained recognition as a Scottish minister and author. He served as the minister of the parish of Crieff and published several religious works, including "Sermons on Important Subjects" and "Lectures on the Book of Proverbs".

During the 19th century, James Maclaren (1818-1890) made significant contributions as a Scottish engineer and shipbuilder. He established the renowned Maclaren shipyards in Dumbarton, Scotland, where he designed and built several innovative steam-powered vessels.

Another notable figure was Sir Charles Maclaren (1876-1935), a Scottish lawyer and judge who served as the Lord Justice Clerk of Scotland, one of the highest judicial positions in the country at the time.

These are just a few examples of the individuals who have carried the name Maclaren throughout history, reflecting its deep-rooted Scottish heritage and the various fields in which those bearing this name have made their mark.

Data source

The first name data used on this page comes from the Social Security Administration (SSA). They've been collecting data on baby names since 1880.

The history and meaning of the name Maclaren was researched and written by our team of onomatology and genealogy experts.

If you have a correction or suggestion to improve the history of Maclaren, please contact us.

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