McLeod

McLeod is a surname of Scottish origin, a spelling variant of MacLeod. The name derives from Gaelic Mac Leòid, meaning "son of Leod," with Leod a personal name likely tied to Norse roots. It is historically associated with Clan MacLeod of the Isle of Skye, one of Scotland's oldest and most prominent clans, whose chiefs played a significant role in the region's history. The form McLeod is common in the Scottish diaspora and in places settled by Scots abroad.

As a toponym, McLeod appears in various English-speaking countries as the name of towns, streets, and geographic features, typically named for early settlers or local families bearing the surname.

In contemporary use, McLeod functions as both a surname and, less commonly, a given name. It has several variant spellings, including MacLeod and McLoed, and is closely related to the Clan MacLeod, whose descendants reside in Scotland and in diaspora communities around the world.

Notable people with the surname McLeod have contributed to politics, sports, arts, and other fields, reflecting the spread of the name beyond Scotland.

See also: Clan MacLeod; MacLeod (surname); McLeod (disambiguation).