Surname Clendinning - Meaning and Origin

Clendinning: What does the surname Clendinning mean?

The surname Clendinning is of Scottish origin and it is derived from a place name. It refers to a person who is from a location known as Clendinning in Scotland. The place name Clendinning itself is believed to possibly come from a compound of two Brittonic words, likely *Clǭd (meaning "a hill"), and *dīn (meaning "a fort"). It's suggested to mean "hill fort" or "fort on the hill". The Clendinning surname is particularly associated with the regions of Dumfriesshire and Lanarkshire in Scotland. Like many surnames that originated as location or occupational names, it would have been initially used to identify someone who came from that place. Over time, it became passed down through families as a surname. Therefore, individuals with the Clendinning surname can possibly trace their ancestry back to this region of Scotland. However, please note that surname origins can vary and may not apply to all individuals with the surname.

Clendinning: Where does the name Clendinning come from?

The surname Clendinning originates from Scotland, particularly from the regions around the old barony of Clendinning in West Dumfriesshire. The name is derived from the Gaelic elements “glenn,” which means valley, and “duine,” which means man. Hence, it implies 'man from the valley.' In its early days, the family was associated with Clan Douglas, a powerful Scottish clan.

While the name has Scottish roots, it has since spread to various parts of the world due to migration and diaspora. Today, the name Clendinning can predominantly be found in English-speaking countries like the United States, Australia, Canada and the United Kingdom. One should note however, despite its presence abroad, the surname remains relatively uncommon and not frequently encountered. It has retained a strong link to its Scottish ancestry and is most commonly found among people of Scottish descent. Finding the surname Clendinning is especially common in areas where there was significant Scottish immigration historically.

Variations of the surname Clendinning

The surname Clendinning is Scottish in origin, and more specifically, it hails from the region of Dumfriesshire. Variants of this surname may derive from different waves of migration, transcription errors, or pronunciation changes over time. Some of these variants include Clendenning, Clendening, Clendenin, and Clendenon. Others are Clendennon, Clendennan, and Glendinning. It's also possible that Clenning might be associated.

It's important to note that many surnames underwent significant changes throughout the centuries. Some families even opted to change their names to sound more 'American' or to mask their true origin. Therefore, it's possible that there might be more variations or spellings of this surname out there that tie back to the original Clendinning.

In terms of related surnames, due to geographical proximity and intermarriage, families with the Clendinning surname might also be connected to other Scottish families from the Dumfriesshire area. Surnames from this region included Armstrong, Murray, and Douglas, among others. This doesn't necessarily mean these surnames are variants of Clendinning, but they might appear in the same family tree.

Famous people with the name Clendinning

• Jane Piper Clendinning: An American musicologist renowned for her work in music theory education. She's best known for her leading textbook, "The Musician’s Guide to Theory and Analysis."
• Logan Clendinning: A physician and a well-known author. He has written multiple books in the medical humanities field, specifically history of medicine.
• Margaret Clendinning: She was a 19th-century Irish novelist, known for her works such as 'Spes; or, The Love that Lives' and 'Antwerpe Claverhouse.'
• James Clendinning: He was a notable Irish astronomer in the 19th-century, particularly known for his work in optical astronomy. He discovered seventeen variable stars.
• William Clendinning: He was an eminent legal scholar of the 19th century, who was known for his expertise in maritime law.
• Joanna Clendinning: She is a known TV producer who has worked on various renowned British TV shows, including CrimeWatch UK. Please note, while these individuals are well-known to a certain extent in their respective fields, they may not be universally recognized as "famous". The Clendinning surname is not broadly associated with widely known celebrities in popular culture.

Other surnames

Clendinnen