Maclachlan
A Scottish surname meaning "son of the servant of Lochlann" (an old name for Norway).
According to the 2010 US Census Bureau surname tables, roughly 1,405 Americans carry the last name Maclachlan. That puts it at #21,633 in the national surname ranking, appearing at a frequency of 0.41 per 100,000 people (about 1 in 243,953 residents).
This page is the full Name Census profile for the Maclachlan surname. You will find the Census Bureau frequency data, an ancestry and ethnicity breakdown based on self-reported demographics, the name's meaning and origin where available, and answers to the most common questions people ask about this surname.
Bearers in the US
1.4K
1 in 243,953
Census rank
#21,633
2010 decennial data
Per 100,000
0.4
Frequency rate
Recorded bearers
1.2K
rare in the US
Popularity narrative
The Census Bureau recorded 1,205 bearers of the surname Maclachlan in its 2010 decennial surname file. At a rate of 0.41 per 100,000 residents, it holds the 21633rd position in the national surname ranking.
Among Census respondents with the surname Maclachlan, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.1%) and Two or More Races (1.5%).
Origin
Meaning and origin of Maclachlan
The surname MACLACHLAN is of Scottish origin, deriving from the Gaelic "Mac Lachlainn" which translates to "son of Lachlann". The name Lachlann itself is believed to have Norse roots, stemming from the Old Norse name "Lochlan" or "Lochlanach" meaning "Norwegian".
The clan MACLACHLAN has its ancestral roots in the region of Argyll, on the west coast of Scotland. They were a powerful family in the medieval period, with their seat at Castle Lachlan on the shores of Loch Fyne. The earliest recorded mention of the name dates back to the 12th century, with Lachlann Mor being the progenitor of the clan.
In the 13th century, the MACLACHLAN chiefs were recorded as witnesses to several charters granted by the Lords of the Isles. This indicates their influential position among the West Highland clans of the time. The name also appears in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland from the 14th century onwards.
One of the most notable figures in the clan's history was Lachlan Mor MACLACHLAN, who lived in the 15th century. He was a prominent warrior and chieftain, known for his involvement in the feuds between the clans of the west coast of Scotland. Another notable member was Archibald MACLACHLAN (1666-1744), a Scottish antiquarian and historian.
Other notable individuals with the surname MACLACHLAN include:
1. Ewen MACLACHLAN (1775-1822), a Scottish poet and songwriter.
2. Robert MACLACHLAN (1837-1904), a Canadian entomologist and naturalist.
3. Angus MACLACHLAN (1849-1930), a Scottish-born Canadian politician and lawyer.
4. Patricia MACLACHLAN (born 1938), an American author of children's books, best known for her novel "Sarah, Plain and Tall".
5. Kyle MACLACHLAN (born 1959), an American actor, known for his roles in films such as "Dune", "Blue Velvet", and the television series "Twin Peaks".
The MACLACHLAN name has also been associated with various place names in Scotland, such as Kilmorie and Strathlachlan, reflecting the clan's historical territories and influence in the region.
Demographics
Ancestry and ethnicity for Maclachlan
Among Census respondents with the surname Maclachlan, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.1%) and Two or More Races (1.5%).
The bar chart below shows how Maclachlan bearers described their own race and ethnicity on the 2010 Census form. The Census Bureau groups responses into six broad categories: White, Black or African American, Hispanic or Latino, Asian and Pacific Islander, American Indian and Alaska Native, and Two or More Races. When a category has too few respondents for a given surname, the Bureau suppresses the figure to protect individual privacy, which is why some names show fewer than six slices.
Keep in mind that these are self-reported numbers. A person's surname does not determine their race or ethnicity, and the distribution you see here reflects the specific population who happened to carry the Maclachlan surname at the time of the 2010 Census, not any inherent property of the name itself.
- White91.9%
- Hispanic or Latino5.1%
- Two or more races1.5%
- Asian and Pacific Islander0.7%
Year on year
2010 vs 2010 Census
How has the Maclachlan surname changed between Census years? The chart shows bearer count side by side, and the table compares rank, count, and frequency.
Census year comparison
| Metric | 2010 | 2010 | Change |
|---|---|---|---|
| Rank | #21,633 | #21,633 | 0.0% |
| Count | 1,205 | 1,205 | 0.0% |
| Per 100K | 0.41 | 0.41 | 0.0% |
Between the 2010 and 2010 Census, the number of Maclachlan bearers went from 1,205 to 1,205 (+0.0% change). The surname held its position in the national ranking, going from #21,633 to #21,633.
Notable bearers
Famous people with the surname Maclachlan
FAQ
Maclachlan surname: questions and answers
How common is the last name Maclachlan?
The surname Maclachlan holds position #21,633 in the US Census Bureau's surname ranking, with an estimated 1,405 living bearers. It occurs at a rate of 0.41 per 100,000 Americans.
What is the ethnic background of the Maclachlan surname?
Among Census respondents with the surname Maclachlan, the largest self-reported group is White at 91.9%. The next largest groups are Hispanic (5.1%) and Two or More Races (1.5%). These figures come from the 2010 Census Bureau surname tables, based on how respondents described their own race and ethnicity.
Where does this surname data come from?
All surname statistics on Name Census are drawn from the US Census Bureau's decennial surname frequency tables. These tables list every surname that appeared 100 or more times in the 2010 Census, along with a frequency rate and self-reported demographic breakdown. You can read the full explanation on our methodology page.