MacPhàrláin

MacPhàrláin is the Scottish Gaelic form of the patronymic surname MacFarlane, literally meaning “son of Phàrlainn.” Phàrlainn is a Gaelic given name of uncertain origin, likely linked to a form such as Parlan or Farlane. The name is historically associated with Clan MacFarlane, a Scottish clan rooted in the western Highlands and surrounding districts; in Gaelic contexts the form MacPhàrláin is used to reflect the clan’s heritage.

In modern usage, MacPhàrláin and the related MacFarlane surname are found primarily among people with Scottish Gaelic heritage and in communities abroad that trace descent to Scotland. The name is common in Scotland and among the Scottish diaspora, including countries such as Canada, the United States, Australia, and New Zealand. In English-language contexts, the Anglicized form MacFarlane is the most widely encountered variant.

Linguistically, MacPhàrláin illustrates how Gaelic patronymics were rendered into clan names, preserving the patriarchal patronymic structure while adapting to English orthography in many records. The Gaelic form remains visible in cultural, historical, and genealogical materials that emphasize Gaelic identity and the heritage of Clan MacFarlane.

See also Clan MacFarlane.