McClure
What is the origin of the last name McClure?
Meaning and origin
The last name McClure is of Scottish origin, derived from the Gaelic surname "Mac Gille Uidhir," meaning "son of the pale-haired youth" or "son of the sallow-skinned lad." The name can be traced back to the ancient kingdom of Dalriada in western Scotland. Over time, it underwent various spellings such as MacIlure, MacClure, McCleure, and McClure during its migration to Ireland and North America.
The longer story
The last name McClure is of Scottish origin. It is derived from the Old Norse personal name "Mackleod," which means "son of Leod." Leod was a given name that was common in the Viking era, and its meaning is uncertain.
The surname McClure is primarily found in Scotland and the United States. Northern Irish immigrants brought the surname to the United States, where it has since spread throughout the country.
The spelling of the surname has evolved over time. Variations include Maclea, Macleod, and Macleud. These different spellings often arose due to clerical errors or phonetic variations in different regions. The standardized spelling of McClure emerged in the 19th century.
Surname origins are rarely settled: one spelling can have several sources, and families often took a name for reasons nobody wrote down. Check it against the sources below before you rely on it.
#731
McClure was the 731st most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 47,742 people, about 16 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like McClure
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where McClure is found around the world
- The Internet Surname Database: a second opinion on the origin
- US Census Bureau: the 2010 surname figures used here
For a name you are serious about, compare the dictionaries: Reaney and Wilson, A Dictionary of English Surnames; Hanks, Dictionary of American Family Names.