Surname MacLear - Meaning and Origin
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MacLear: What does the surname MacLear mean?
The surname MacLear is an anglicised form of the Gaelic Mac Labhruinn, which means 'son of Labhruinn'. Labhruinn itself is composed of two elements: ‘labhair’, meaning ‘speak’, and ‘dubh’, meaning ‘black’. Thus, the name can be said to mean ‘son of the dark speaker’.
The MacLear surname is believed to have originated in Scotland in the area of Kintyre. It is believed to have been introduced there by an emigrant from Ireland. The surname then spread across various parts of Scotland, including the Isle of Lewis and the Outer Hebrides.
Traditionally, the MacLear surname is associated with a proud and courageous people, with an associated respect for justice and valour. Those bearing the name have also been characterised as having strong family loyalties and a gift for words.
The most famous bearer of the MacLear surname is the late noted actor and comedian, Norman MacLear. Norman was known for playing eccentric characters with a comic twist in the cult-classic British show ‘Rab C. Nesbitt’.
Today, the MacLear surname continues to be found throughout Britain and Scotland. It stands as a testament to the strength and virtues of the MacLear people and their enduring legacy, which continues to live on through the proud and admired descendants of this ancient and historic clan.
Order DNA origin analysisMacLear: Where does the name MacLear come from?
The last name MacLear is most commonly associated with Scotland today, but its origins stretch farther back. MacLear is an anglicized version of an old Irish or Scottish Gaelic name, Mac Labhruinn, which translates to "son of Labhran". This is a patronymic name derived from the old Gaelic name Laomain, meaning, “brave soldier”.
The MacLear surname is strongly associated with the island of Lewis and in the Scottish Gaelic language Lewis is known as Leòdhas. It was here on the Isle of Lewis in the Outer Hebrides that the Mac Labhruinn family thrived and grew in prominence throughout the medieval period. In fifteenth century Scotland, Clan MacKenzie began to sponsor some members of the MacLabhruinn family and this began the MacLear surname’s rise to prominence.
Today, the MacLear surname is most commonly associated with Scotland, especially in the Outer Hebrides. There are also some MacLear families in Canada, the United Kingdom , the United States, and even parts of Australia. It is difficult to accurately estimate the prevalence of the name since it can have many spellings including MacLear, MacLeir, MacLeer, MacLir, MacLeer, and McLellan.
Regardless of where you come across it, the MacLear name undoubtedly carries an Irish or Scottish heritage with it, most likely originating from the medieval MacLabhruinn family of Scotland’s Outer Hebrides.
Variations of the surname MacLear
Variants of the surname MacLear include MacClare, MacClair, MacClere, MacCleare, MacLure, and MacClure. Spellings can range from MacClair to MacLure. Many of these surnames are used interchangeably and all derive from the Old Gaelic surname Mac Giolla Uidhir, which literally means “son of the servant of Uidhir”. Uidhir was a personal name made famous by the legendary tale of the fifth-century North British King Torquil MacUidhir who was tricked into marriage by the enchantress, Deirdre of the Sorrows.
Many people with the surname MacLear will also have other variations of the surname. In Scotland, it is common for families to assume different surnames of the same origin. For example, a father and son may chose to spell their name differently, such as MacGlare and MacGlaire.
In the United States, the MacLear surname has often been changed or Anglicized. In one instance, MacLear became Muckelre. In Canada, MacLear was sometimes changed to MacLee or McLer.
The variations of the MacLear surname are commonly used to identify the connection between a family’s heritage and the legendary King Torquil MacUidhir. It is a testament to ancestry as it has been passed down over generations, and serves as a link to the ancient legend.
Famous people with the name MacLear
- Duncan MacLear: Documentary filmmaker
- Jessica MacLear: Canadian actress and activist
- Allan MacLear: Canadian journalist
- Robert MacLear: Scottish football manager
- Fred MacLear: English actor
- Dave MacLear: Scottish footballer
- Heather MacLear: Canadian journalist and broadcaster
- Peter Scott MacLear: Commissioner of the Northwest Territories
- William MacLear: Canadian politician
- Blaise MacLear: Actor, director, writer, composer, producer
- John MacLear: Scottish film producer, screenwriter, director
- Joseph MacLear: Member of Canadian Parliament
- Richard MacLear: Royal Navy officer, Harvard professor, and engineer
- Brandon MacLear: Canadian musician
- Edna MacLear: Canadian singer
- Scott MacLear: Irish academic and historian
- Grant MacLear: American producer
- Kenneth MacLear: Canadian bobsledder
- Brigid MacLear: British singer-songwriter
- Filumena MacLear: Scottish opera singer