McLeod
What is the origin of the last name McLeod?
Meaning and origin
The last name McLeod has its origin in Scotland, specifically in the Highlands. It is a patronymic surname derived from the Gaelic name Mac Leòid, which means 'son of Leòd'.
The longer story
The last name McLeod is of Scottish origin. It is a patronymic surname derived from the Gaelic name MacLeòid, which means "son of Leod." Leod is a diminutive of Lughaidh, a given name of Irish origin meaning "warrior." The name McLeod is primarily associated with the Highland region of Scotland.
They were known for their strong warrior traditions and their close ties with the Isle of Skye, where their ancestral seat, Dunvegan Castle, is located.
The surname McLeod has various spellings and variations, including Macleod, MacLeod, Macleoid, Mcleod, and McCleod. These different spellings may have emerged due to variations in dialect and regional pronunciations.
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.
#1,141
McLeod was the 1,141st most common surname in the 2010 US Census, with 30,769 people, about 10 in every 100,000.
Who carries it
Surnames like McLeod
Names it is linked with, then names with the same origin and a similar standing.
Check the sources
- Forebears: where McLeod 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.