Find out how popular the last name McClanahan is in the United States and learn more about the meaning, history, and race and ethnic origin of people in America who are named McClanahan.

McClanahan, like all of the last names we have data for, is identified by the U.S. Census Bureau as a surname which has more than 100 occurrences in the United States in the Decennial Census survey. The most recent statistics we have for the McClanahan surname is from the 2000 census data.

Popularity of McClanahan in America

McClanahan is the 149328th most popular name in America based on the data we have collected from the U.S. Census Bureau.

The McClanahan surname appeared 101 times in the 2000 census and if you were to sample 100,000 people in the United States, approximately 0 people would have the surname McClanahan.

The history of the last name McClanahan

The surname McClanahan originates from Scotland and Ireland, specifically from regions like the Scottish Highlands and Northern Ireland. It is an Anglicized form of the Gaelic name Mac Gille Onchon, meaning "son of the servant of the church." The name is derived from the Old Gaelic words "mac," meaning "son of," and "Gille Onchon," a personal name. Alternative spellings of the name in historical records include MacClannachan, MacLanachan, and MacClanachan.

One of the earliest recorded mentions of a name variant dates back to medieval Scottish records. The name is found in documents from the Scottish Highlands around the 13th century. By the mid-15th century, the name was more regularly documented, suggesting its gradual but steady adoption and adaptation in Scottish and Irish communities.

In 1538, a notable mention of the name can be found in the Exchequer Rolls of Scotland, where a John Maclanachan is recorded. This provides historical documentation of the name's existence and use in a formal record. A similar reference appears in the Irish Fiants of the Tudor sovereigns, where a Donal MacLanachan is listed around 1585. Such records indicate that the name was fairly well-established by the 16th century.

A famous individual with the surname is Samuel McClanahan, an early American pioneer born in 1725. He played a vital role in the westward expansion of the United States, being part of early settler movements into territories beyond the original colonies. Samuel's descendents carried on the name into the broader American lexicon.

Another prominently cited figure is John Wesley McClanahan, born in 1790, who was a notable participant in the War of 1812. Records of his service and subsequent land grants highlight how the surname became linked with broader national narratives in America.

In the 19th century, William McClanahan, born in 1824, became a well-known figure in local politics in Ohio, serving as a state legislator. His engagement in political affairs brought the surname into public records of legislative proceedings, further embedding it into the socio-political history of the region.

Eugene McClanahan, born in 1870, made significant contributions to agrarian reform and was widely recognized within farming communities in Kentucky. His work emphasized the surname's connection to rural and hardworking traditions in American history.

Finally, James McClanahan, born in 1895, was a decorated military officer in World War I. His heroic actions and the medals he received posthumously brought national attention to the McClanahan name, marking another significant chapter in its storied history.

Overall, the surname McClanahan has a rich and varied heritage, spread across diverse geographies and historical contexts, signifying its deep-rooted presence in Gaelic, Scottish, Irish, and American histories.

Race and ethnic origin of people with the last name McClanahan

We also have some data on the ancestry of people with the surname McClanahan.

The below race categories are the modified race categories used in the Census Bureau's population estimates program. All people were categorized into six mutually exclusive racial and Hispanic origin groups:

1. White only
2. Black only
3. American Indian and Alaskan Native only
4. Asian and Pacific Islander only
5. Hispanic
6. Two or More Races

For the most recent 2000 census data, the race/ethnic origin breakdown for McClanahan was:

Note: Any fields showing (S) means the data was suppressed for privacy so that the data does not in any way identify any specific individuals.

Data source

The last name data and ethnic breakdown of last names is sourced directly from the Decennial Census survey, conducted every 10 years by the United States Census Bureau.

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

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

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