Surname Buchannon - Meaning and Origin

Buchannon: What does the surname Buchannon mean?

The surname Buchannon is of Scottish origin and derived from the region of Buchanan, located in the historic county of Stirlingshire, northeast of Glasgow. The name itself means "house of the canon" or "house of the priest" in Gaelic (from 'Buth Chanain'), suggesting its first bearers belonged to a family residing near a church or had responsibilities related to a religious institution. The Buchannon clan is one of the oldest Scottish clans with a rich history dating back to the 13th century. The spelling of the name can vary including Buchanan, Buchannan and Buchannon, among others. So, those bearing the surname Buchannon typically have ancestral ties to Scotland.

Buchannon: Where does the name Buchannon come from?

The surname Buchannon is derived from the Gaelic name Mac a' Chanonaich, meaning "Son of the Canon". It originates from Scotland, specifically, the area near Loch Lomond known as Buchanan, after which the name is named. The first recorded use of the name dates back to the early 13th century.

The name spread to other parts of the British Isles and further afield as Scots migrated or were forced to emigrate due to economic and political circumstances. Today, the surname Buchannon, along with its variations (like Buchanan), is found predominantly in English-speaking countries, most notably the United States, Canada, Australia, and the United Kingdom. Among these, it is most common in the United States due to the high number of Scottish immigrants who settled there. However, it remains relatively rare overall, reflecting the relatively small size of the original Scottish clan from which it originates. Regardless of its current prevalence, it retains the cultural heritage of its Scottish roots.

Variations of the surname Buchannon

The surname Buchanan originates from Scotland. There are several variations and spellings to this name which often were created to preserve the phonetic pronunciation of the name when it crossed borders and languages. These alternative spellings include: Buchannon, Buchannan, Bucanon, Buhannan, Buhannon, Bechanan, Bechannon, Beuchanan, Bauhannan, and Bauchanan.

The Buchanan surname also potentially evolved into or from other last names that sound similar or have a similar root, such as Buchan, which comes from a location in Scotland.

It's also common in English and Scottish genealogy to see surnames change just slightly across generations, with Buchanon, Bucanan, or Buchannen being potential alternate spellings.

Remember, spelling wasn't standardized until quite recently in historical terms, so many of these variants can be found in historical documents or records. Sometimes a family might have changed the spelling of their last name after migrating to a new country, to better fit the common phonetics of the new language, leading to additional variations like the American sounding Buckhannon, or Butchanan.

Please note that while these names are similar, they may not always indicate familial connections or shared origin; genealogical research should be conducted to confirm such ties.

Famous people with the name Buchannon

• David Hasselhoff: Actor, Producer, and Singer.
• John David Buchannon: Former football player, Canadian Football Hall of Fame Member, and College Football Hall of Fame Member.
• Jody Hamilton: Professional wrestler.
• Olivia Buchannon: Actress.
• Jackie Buchannon: Actor and Singer.
• William Mark Buchannon: Former football player and College Football Hall of Fame Member.
• Charles Buchannon: Professional wrestler.
• Travis Buchannon: Former football player and Professional Football player.
• Jessica Buchannon: Actress.
• Thomas Buchannon: Political figure.

Other surnames

Buchannan