What does the surname McLain mean?

The surname McLain means "Son of Lain or descendant of John.". It is of Scottish origin.

How common is the McLain surname?

There are approximately 5,000 people with the surname McLain in the United States.

Are there McLain soldiers in Civil War records?

Yes, 1,148 soldiers with the McLain surname appear in Civil War records.

McLain

Patronymic

Meaning

Son of Lain or descendant of John.

Etymology

Derived from Gaelic Mac Lain, where Lain is a Scottish form of John (Gaelic Iain). The surname underwent Anglicization from the Highland Scottish form, with various spellings emerging.

About the McLain Surname

A Scottish Highland patronymic surname derived from the personal name John. The surname has moderate distribution in North America through Scottish immigration.

Distribution & Frequency

Estimated 5,000 bearers in the United States #1,656 most common surname

Rare Common

Scotland, United States, and Canada.

McLain Surname Distribution

Geographic distribution based on Civil War military records.

Fewer

People with the McLain Surname

Bernard McLain

Quick Facts

Origin: Scottish
Classification: Patronymic
Earliest Record: 16th century
Estimated Bearers: 5,000

War Records

1,148 soldiers with the McLain surname found in Civil War records.

Search war records →