Surname Clendennan - Meaning and Origin
all surnames with 'C'
Clendennan: What does the surname Clendennan mean?
Clendennan is a surname of Scottish origin, derived from Glen, a topographic name for someone who lived in a valley, and Dunan, a pet form of the personal name Donnan. This surname has undergone various spelling changes over time, including Glendonwyn, Glendinning, Glendowyn, Glendon, Glenden, Glendin, Glendining, and many more. Clendennan is found in the southern counties of Scotland, primarily in Dumfriesshire, and it was first borne by families residing in the Parish of Glencairn. The meaning of Clendennan thus reflects a geographical or residential origin, pointing back to ancestors who once lived in the valleys of Scotland. Keep in mind that surnames could be passed down through many generations and the original meaning might have evolved or lost over centuries.
Order DNA origin analysisClendennan: Where does the name Clendennan come from?
The surname Clendennan is of Irish origin, specifically from the Gaelic Mac Giolla Fhindéin, which translates to 'son of the servant of St. Finden.' This unique last name is not very common and has various alternative spellings including Glendinning, Clendenning, and Clendinning, amongst others. The prefix 'Mac' was often dropped over time leading to a variety of derivations.
The surname first emerged in Donegal county in Northwest Ireland but then its bearers moved to Scotland during the era of the plantation schemes of the 17th century. Descendants of the Irish families who moved to Scotland carried the names to various parts of world, including North America, Australia and New Zealand, often due to economic necessity.
Today, the surname Clendennan and its variants are most commonly found in English-speaking countries such as the United States, United Kingdom, Canada, Australia and New Zealand. It's important to recognize that as Irish emigration patterns were largely dictated by historical social and economic circumstances, the exact geographical prevalence of this surname changes over time.
Variations of the surname Clendennan
The surname Clendennan has several variants and spellings that have been used over time and in different regions. These include Clendenin, Clendenning, Clendinning, Clendennin, and Clendinen. The name may also be spelled with a single 'n' or 'd', as in Clendinan or Clennan.
The name seems to have a common root with the Scottish surname Glendinning, which originated from a place in Scotland near the border with England. The switching of the initial "G" with "C" may be an attempt to Anglicize the name. Variations of Glendinning meanwhile include Glendenning, Glendening, and Glandinning.
It's also possible that the name Clendennan has Irish origins and could be related to the Irish surnames Clendenning or McClendon, although this could be conjecture.
As with many names, the spelling may have evolved or been modified as family members emigrated to different countries or regions, so there may be other variations even within the same family line.
Always remember that surnames can have multiple origins and the same or similar surnames are not always related. The exact origin and variations of a specific surname can often only be determined through comprehensive genealogical research.
Famous people with the name Clendennan
- Brad Clendenan: American actor and producer who has appeared in hit films such as The Other Guys, The Ides of March and American Reunion.
- Jaimie Clendenan: Canadian actor and filmmaker best known for his roles in popular TV shows such as Continuum, Devastated and Todd and the Book of Pure Evil.
- Andrea Clendenan: Canadian actress and producer, who has appeared in multiple feature films such as One Night in Vegas, The Sensei and Laugh Out Loud.
- alive Clendenan: British singer and songwriter, who was a member of popular punk band The Flux.
- Michael Clendenan: Television journalist and founder of the not-for-profit organization MY World Literacy.
- Deborah Clendenan: Equestrian and endurance riding enthusiast who runs Tilminley Horse Rescue in the United Kingdom.
- David Clendenan: Australia-based cinematographer and director who has worked on numerous feature films, documentaries and television commercials.
- Stephen Clendenan: Australian professional rugby player and coach, who currently serves as Assistant Coach at the Melbourne Storm.
- Colin Clendenan: Irish artist, writer and philosopher who is recognised for his unique style of writing and painting.
- Benjamin Clendenan: American surgeon, who was the first to perform successful operations on inoperable abdominal tumours.