Surname MacCachan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'M'
MacCachan: What does the surname MacCachan mean?
The surname MacCachan is of Scottish origin but its specific meaning is not fully documented or well-known. Most Scottish surnames starting with "Mac" or "Mc" means "son of," pointing to a patronymic tradition where a person is identified by their father's name. The second part “Cachan” could be derived from a personal name or a profession, usually related to the founding ancestor of the clan. However, the lack of detailed historical records makes it challenging to determine the exact translation of “Cachan.” It is worth noting that over time, the spelling and pronunciation of surnames can change, adding another layer of complexity to their interpretation. Therefore, the last name MacCachan illustrates the bearer's connection to Scottish heritage and possibly to an ancestral figure named Cachan, but any additional specific meaning remains largely speculative.
Order DNA origin analysisMacCachan: Where does the name MacCachan come from?
The surname MacCachan is of Scottish origin. It appears to be a derivative of the Gaelic "Mac Eachain," which means "son of Eachan." It may also refer to variant forms such as MacEachan or MacEochagain, prevalent in Irish tradition, making it both a Scottish and Irish surname. Eachan, in Gaelic, typically translates to "horse" or "steed," so the surname’s root could allude to a familial history connected to horses, such as horse traders or warriors renowned for their horseback skills.
The surname is quite rare, even in its country of origin. As with many other surnames of Gaelic or Celtic origins, it's likely to have spread to different parts of the world due to emigration, especially to countries such as Australia, the U.S., and Canada during and after the period of the Great Famine in Ireland in the mid-19th century. In modern times, it can likely be found in various geographical locations, but its rarity makes it less common even in places where Scottish and Irish descendants prevail. The establishment of specific concentration of the MacCachan surname in modern times is uncertain due to its rarity.
Variations of the surname MacCachan
The surname MacCachan has Scottish origins and is considered quite rare. The different variants and spellings might be due to either translation of the name over different languages or in some cases, misspelling of the surname. The most common variant of this surname is "McCachan". Other possible variations can include MacCahan, McCahan, MacCachin, McCachin, McCachen, MacCachen and MacKachan.
It's also important to note that the prefix 'Mac' or 'Mc' in Scottish and Irish surnames signifies 'son of', so these names often change based on the father's name in each generation. Variants might also be based on the original Gaelic spelling, which could result in surnames like MacEachan, a name that shares the 'mac' prefix and sounds phonetically similar.
However, it's worth noting that due to the rarity of the surname, definitive links to other surnames of the same origin cannot be definitively identified. In many cases, family or personal history is the most reliable source of this information. In sum, the variants, spellings and surnames of the same origin for the surname MacCachan could include McCachan, MacCahan, McCahan, MacCachin, McCachin, McCachen, MacCachen, MacKachan and MacEachan.
Famous people with the name MacCachan
- Uilleam MacCachain: Scottish activist, lawyer, professor, and leader of the Clan MacCachan
- Alan MacCachan: Scottish professional footballer who played in several English Football League clubs from 1970 to 1984
- Vania MacCachan: Peruvian-born British model, actress, and television presenter
- Craig MacCachan: Los Angeles-based sound designer, music producer, composer, and keyboardist
- Morven MacCachan: Scottish celebrity chef and television personality
- Melissa MacCachan: American reality television star, social activist, and author
- Duncan MacCachan: Scottish actor best known for his roles in Outlander and the film adaptation of Harry Potter and the Deathly Hallows